288 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



methods. This we think can be best accomplished by working near to nature- 

 and in observance of her methods. 



When it is observed that the central small growth of a tree is dying or dead, 

 there is evidence that nature cannot sustain so dense growth ; and if we act 

 upon this intimation, will we not thin the top to admit the air and light ? 



When nature closes the season, with a well-formed termination of each limb, 

 repined and provided to form a suitable base for the next season's growth, shall 

 we place her at fault; cut away half of this natural section of a tree, and force 

 to a sort of abnormal growth ; do this systematically, make it a formula of our 

 practice ? 



Certainly not, if some less radical and less expensive process will reach the 

 desired result. 



Our experience with the peach has been on the east shore of Lake Michigan, 

 where well matured wood of the peach was never known to winter-kill, and 

 perhaps these notes will only apply to this and other localities having a lake 

 temperature in winter. 



"Shortening in" may be a necessary practice where the j)each wood is fre- 

 quently injured by winter cold. 



We offer the following theory of pruning, only as the result of a few years' 

 study in the midst of bearing peach trees : 



As setting the bud in the side of the stock gives a little inclination to the 

 tree, we, in planting, set this side of the tree towards the west or southwest to 

 brace against the winds. 



At the first pruning, at the time of setting, we cut away all the lateral 

 branches (not so close as to destroy the buds at their base), and also a portion 

 of the top, having in view the formation of a head with branches two and a 

 half or three feet from the ground. 



The tree puts forth an abundance of shoots, from which v/e select three, as 

 nearly equidistant as possible, as leaders or main branches. This number is 

 suflBcient to form a well-proportioned head from the first, while more than this 

 will very soon present a crowded head, and the difficulty will increase with the 

 increased age of the tree. 



These three branches growing upward and outward at an angle of about forty- 

 five degrees, with their lateral branches kept always in subordination, leave an 

 open center where the health-giving air can have free access, and hues of the 

 sunlight reach to the inmost bearing twig. This gives a head of the finest 

 symmetry, and most convenient for handling in pruning, thinning, and pick- 

 ing fruit. 



These three primary branches properly started, the subsequent pruning is 

 comparatively easy. An annual winter pruning is sufficient, with only the 

 rubbing off of a few water shoots in summer. 



Our prevailing idea in this winter pruning is thinning. We pit this term 

 "thinning" against the term "shortening in" as capable of accomplishing all 

 the good results claimed for the latter. 



One effect of thinning is to induce a stocky growth of wood. Take, for 

 instance, three or four limbs growing close together. Any lateral branches they 

 may throw out will be feeble, while the terminal shoot will make the principle 

 growth. Now, cut away all but one of these limbs, the remaining one having 

 the space of the three or four, will be able to throw out strong, healthy laterals, 

 and develop a fine, vigorous main limb. This process carried through the en- 

 tire tree will lessen tlie growth on the extremities without diminishing the 



