PEUNING APPLE TEEES. 361 



was cut off to induce branches to come out and form the head. Another leader 

 can be formed of a top branch. If it does not run up straight enough, tie it for 

 a while to one nearly opposite. As the buds are arranged in a spiral (and 

 branches too) on apj^le trees, if we call the lower branch number one, number 

 five should be the next bud to make a leading branch of the head, numbers 

 nine, thirteen and eighteen the next in order. This arrangement of buds brings 

 them at an equal distance from each other around the main stem. If you do 

 not like the branches to remain three feet from the ground, cut them back to 

 three inches from the trunk, and after others are formed higher up, cut off the 

 lower stumps entirely. The rule for altering the shape of a tree is this, " change 

 gradually." From each of the main branches let but two buds grow. These 

 again will soon divide and with a little care a nice symmetrical top may be 

 formed. 



Those favoring lo7v tops, with branches three feet or less from the groxmd, 

 want the trees low for protection of the tree from wind, because it is easier to 

 pick the fruit ; does not hurt it so much to fall ; the tree bears sooner and bet- 

 ter ; they do not want to cultivate after a few years, at any rate near the tree. 



Those favoring Jiigh tops, branches five feet or more from the ground, like the 

 trees higu to allow air to circulate under the limbs, to let the sun in to color 

 fruit; to permit clean culture ; it looks better ; the fruit is better. Apples on 

 limbs near the ground are not worth much. Of course I do not expect to settle 

 this question. There are good reasons on both sides. Good apples will grow on 

 the lower limbs, and the lower limbs will not die, if the upper limbs are kept 

 thin enough. The best roots of a tree are under the ends of its broad limbs, or 

 further out. That is the place where culture will produce most effect. If clean 

 culture is an advantage, as it may be, in keeping off the codling moth, then all 

 other reasons for low tops will be of minor importance. In that case we should 

 all prune high to make clean culture easy close to the tree. Many a man who 

 started his trees low has changed his views, and has afterwards pruned up by 

 cutting off large limbs. If an orchard is to be pruned only once in two or six 

 years, as many do prune, it is better to start the trees high. If started low and 

 left for a few years, the lower limbs will be smothered, die out, and thus be of 

 great damage to the tree. Large lower limbs are less likely to die in a high tree 

 than in a low one. 



WHY PRUNE. 



It is almost universally conceded as best to cut off some of the top when 

 transplanting an apple tree. Many of the roots are taken off, so we take off 

 some of the top to prevent too great a stock of leaves, which sliall call for more 

 sap than the roots can furnish. AVe prune a tree to keep the top well balanced ; 

 symmetrical ; to prevent the limbs from crowding and starving each other ; to 

 keep strong all the limbs Avhich are left. One object in pruning some trees, as 

 the Spy, is to make them broader by cutting just above a bud which is on the 

 outside of a branch ; in others, as the Talman Sweet, by a reverse practice to 

 make the top narrower. We may also prune to produce or to check f ruitfulness. 



W^HEN TO PRUNE. 



Occasional small limbs may be taken off at any time wlien the tree is not 

 frozen. A general trimming of quite a number of limbs may be made after 

 the fall of the leaf until the buds begin to open in spring. All things consid- 

 ered, I think spring is the best time for a general pruning. Fortunately, this 

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