502 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



located on the tips of long branches, giving the tree the appearance of an old paint 

 brush. 



In this orchard, 5 to 6 feet only could be removed the first year, for if }nore liad 

 Ijeen taken there would not have been enough foliage left to carry on the work of the 

 tree. At the time of the visit to the orchard, a great change had taken place. The old 

 trees were practically rejuvenated. The result of the dehorning was that the trees 

 put out a very vigorous growth of suckers, both on the tops and also well down to the 

 main trunk. By selecting the best of these, Mr. Tweddle had formed practically a 

 new tree and next year will be able to take 5 feet more off the top, thus bringing his 

 trees down to the desired height. He will then have changed old tall trees with foliage 

 on the tips of the branches into moderate high, spreading trees, with a reasonable 

 amount of wood and foliage from the tips, right back to the main trunk. 



In the case of the Baldwins, the amount of sucker growth was perhaps a trifle 

 too much. This was due, no doubt, to the fact that owing to weather conditions, the 

 crop was very light the year he dehorned instead of being heavy, as he had expected. 

 This, of course, gave the trees a tendency to put out large amounts of sucker growth. 



In the other orchard visited, that of Mr. W. H. Bunting, were found Kings, 

 Baldwins and Greenings, all dehorned with excellent results, although the Baldwins 

 in some cases had thrown out very large amounts of sucker growth. 



SOME RECOMiIE^^DATIOXS IN REGARD TO " DEHORNING." 



There are many old and uncared-for orchards throughout the country which could 

 still be made to give profitable returns if a system of dehorning or hcixding-back was 

 to be followed. 



In these old orchards where new growth has long since ceased, it may be induced 

 by a vigorous heading in during March or April. The amount that should be removed 

 at the first dehorning depending on the condition of the tree. If the tree is one which 

 has very little foliage, it cannot stand as vigorous a heading back as the one which 

 has considerable, for enough foliage must be left to carry on the work of the tree. 



The result of the heading-back will be to induce a large amount of sucker growth, 

 and these suckers may be selected to form a new framework to the tree. After the 

 suckers have become established, the remainder of the top may be removed and in a 

 short time almost a new tree will result. Instead of having only a tree with bearing 

 wood on the tips, the grower will have one with bearing wood all the way to the trunk. 



There may be eases, however, where the neglected orchard has suckered out too 

 much, owing to rich soil, and instead of being barren, is too thick. In this case many 

 of the suckers will have to be removed and the remaining ones headed back to give tlie 

 tree the proper shape. In a case like this the pruning would be better done in the 

 summer, so as not to induce too much wood growth. These two distinct types of 

 neglected orchards are found eveiywhere, and each requires different treatment. 



In the one case are trees which are making no growth and producing no bearing 

 wood, in the other case are trees which produce too much wood, and do not bear fruit 

 on it, or if they do bear any, produce very poor fruit on account of the excessive 

 shade produced by dense foliage and sucker growth. 



WOUNDS. 



All wounds made by the pruner should be well painted and if in a few years these 

 have not healed over, they should again be painted. Use a lead and oil paint without 

 lUiy turpentine in it. The paint will fill up the pores of the wood and prevent any 

 disease from getting established before the bark heals over. 



Ottawa. 



