PRUNING PEACH TREES. 989 



aggregate. Thus the tendency to long, straggling, unfruitful branches may be 

 overcome. 



This thinning is done, not by shortening the young limbs, but by cutting 

 them out entire to their junction with the parent limb, leaving each remain- 

 ing shoot in the perfection of its natural growth. 



Another effect of this "thinning" process is to distribute fruit-bearing 

 wood through the interior of the tree top, where the burden can be borne with 

 less liability to break the main limbs than where the fruit is borne mostly on 

 the extremities in the case of a "thick-head," which will inevitably smother 

 out the interior shoots. 



Another effect of this thinning process is not only to reduce the number of 

 fruit-buds but to materially increase their distances apart, thus performing 

 an important part of annual fruit-thinning. 



Another effect of this "thinning process" is to admit air and sunlight 

 through the top, — preventing mildew and rot and imparting rich qualities and 

 high color to the fruit. 



Another effect of this " thinning process" is to promote the general vigor 

 and health of the tree, — where each individual shoot has its equal share of air, 

 light, and warmth. 



Another effect of this " thinning process" is to make the fruit more uniform 

 in size, color, and quality throughout the tree. 



Another effect of this "thinning process" is to make the interior fruit more 

 accessible to the picker than when one has to crowd through a mass of thick 

 brush, alive or dead. 



Another effect of this "thinning proccess" is to supply every bearing shoot, 

 wherever located, with healthy dark green leaves, having ample space for the 

 performance of their office in the production of fruit. 



Another effect of this "thinning process " is to " thicken " the greenbacks in 

 the fruit-grower's pocket; for it brings all these fine qualities in tree and fruit 

 at a less outlay of labor and money than by the process of " shortening in," — if 

 the same results Avere possible by the latter system. 



In conclusion, if it be not assuming, let us say to the fruit-growers of Mich- 

 igan, prune your trees thoroughly but judiciously. Watch the suggestions of 

 nature, and come to her rescue with a quick but cunning hand. Or, in the 

 language of the poet : 



" All superfluous branches lop away, 

 That bearing boughs may live." 



AN ADDRESS ON PRUNING THE PEACH, READ AT THE WINTER MEET- 

 ING OF THE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, HELD AT LANSING 

 FEBRUARY 9, 1875, BY D. R. WATERS OF SPRING LAKE. 



Gej^tlemen — I am not as well prepared for the presentation of this subject 

 as I should be, and therefore sincerely regret that some other person of more 

 extended experience in pruning the peach was not selected to take the impor- 



