June 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 511 



Bearing-ioood.- — -Good fruit develojJS on good bearing-wood, and good 

 bearing- wood is the product of pro[)er degrees of light and heat, as has just 

 been urged ; but bearing-wood in the case of some fi-uits is new wood, and 

 reduction of old wood for the purpose <jf forcing the growth of new wood 

 must be constantly borne in mind. Renewal is more or less a consideration 

 with all trees, and especially the securing of strong new wood. This is a 

 point u|)on which close study of the bearing tree will yield most satisfactory 

 suggestions. 



The same tree as it looks 

 when finished. 



The same free a few months later, 

 carrying fruit. 



Pruning to obtain a loxio head. — It is as well to begin with the tree from 

 the very start, which is at the time when it is transplanted from the nursery 

 to the orchard, as a good beginning is half the battle. 



Assuming that a tree is about to be planted out, the first thing to do is to 

 examine the roots carefully to ascertain how they have fared in their removal 

 from the nursery, as in this country, where proper treedifters or diggers 

 are seldom used, it is frequently found that the roots have been badly muti- 

 lated. Before planting, all roots which have been broken or damaged should 

 be cut away, and all the young roots cut back to within 6 or 8 inches of the 



