No. 6. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 219 



is being formed annually throughout the tree. By reducing the 

 struggle for existence among the limbs, the fruit is always larger, 

 higher colored and of better quality. Heading in the stronger limbs 

 tends to throw the weaker ones into fruiting. Heavy pruning 

 tends to produce tops, as the roots remain the same. At the Para- 

 gon Fruit Farm all peach roots are pruned to about five inches, the 

 trees are then set about one inch deeper than they stood in the 

 nursery. The tops are pruned before or immediately after plant- 

 ing; all side limbs are removed, and the stem cut back to ten or 

 twelve inches. 



I prefer a medium sized tree, as there are no large limbs, but 

 plenty of dormant buds on the stub to form a fine uniform top. 

 The shoots coming from these buds give the foundation upon which 

 to build. Very little pruning is required the first summer, but the 

 following spring is the time to select the foundation branches, four 

 or five coming from different directions on the stem should be left 

 to form a symmetrical top, all others should be removed, and the 

 foundation branches cut back one-half or two-thirds, according to 

 the vigor. Never leave these limbs in such a position that they form 

 a crotch, which is liable to split and ruin the tree. Very vigorous 

 trees will require some pruning during the summer. 



THIRD SEASON'S PRUNING. 



If the trees have been properly handled they should be well set 

 with stout, healthy buds, and should produce an average of one-half 

 bushel of choice fruit this season. The pruning this year should 

 not be so severe. Thin out the branches that crowd and cross 

 each other, cut back those branches that are growing too tall, 

 cut above an outside bud to give spread of top. Cut latteral 

 branches just sufficient to cause new growth along the main limbi, 

 thus keeping the entire inside of the tree in fruiting condition. 

 Should any portion of the tree become too thick to admit free 

 circulation of air and sunshine, then thin out anytime while fruit 

 is maturing. 



The future pruning is conducted on the same principles, keeping 

 the top open and spreading, and all bottom and lateral limbs in 

 good fruiting condition. Never remove bottom limbs unless com- 

 pelled to do so. If pruned as they should be they will produce 

 heavy crops for many years. I know this is contrary to the doctrine 

 of the majority of peach raisers, but if wrong, then why have I 

 constant increasing crops of fruit annually, even when there is 

 a total failure all around me. If I am right, then why should I 

 not continue along the same lines. By thy works shalt thou be 

 judged. 



I have a peach orchard that was planted in the spring of 1902, 

 and trained by this method, that has few equals. In the summer of 

 1904 it produced one-half bushel basket of choice fruit per tree. 

 In 1905, it produced three baskets per tree; last season, 1906, it 

 produced four baskets per tree. The proceeds from these three crops 

 have averaged over |1,400.00 per acre. This seasoa, 1907, theye 

 is again a good set of fruit on the trees. 



