140 Appendix. 



looked in the formation of the heads of all kinds of fruit trees. (See Figs. 28 

 and 20.) 



When the few topmost buds of the young tree are left to form the head 

 thpy are usually so close together that in a few years the forks of all are 

 united and the result is a weakened union. There is not sufficient distance 

 upon the main stem for the several branches, as they increase in size, to make 

 a close union with it. At the end of the first season's growth the young 

 branches that are destined to form the top should be cut back about one-half. 

 From these stubs the next year two chief secondary branches should be allowed 

 to form upon each. The following winter the young growth should again be 

 cut back about one-half. The third and fourth years the tree should receive 

 similar treatment. The fifth year, such branches as interlace should be removed ; 

 irregular, diseased, and malformed shoots should be cut back or taken out 

 as the case may demand. If the trees are planted upon deep, heavy, well- 

 watered soil and continue to make excessive wood growth it may be necessary 

 to give them a summer pruning which operation tends to check wood growth 

 and induce the formation of fruit buds. In the warmer, dryer sections, and 

 where the soil contains considerable sand, trees will begin to bear at five years 

 or even earlier, but in those sections where the climate is cool and moist and 

 the soil heavy and deep, trees may show a disposition to devote all their effort 

 to the production of wood until they are seven, eight or even nine years old. 

 In such cases the check given by summer pruning is often desirable, though 

 it may be a question as to whether trees ought not to be allowed to make their 

 full growth before being forced into fruit production. Still, there is an ad- 

 vantage in hastening the time at which the trees are brought into bearing, and, 

 if not allowed to overbear the first years of fruiting, they may complete their 

 full growth without disadvantage to size or vigor, though the final growth will 

 be made more slowly than would be the case if the trees had not been hastened 

 into bearing 



The need for future pruning of the orchard will be variable. Each variety 

 has a characteristic habit of growth. The pruning necessary to make the growth 

 conform to our chosen type will depend upon how far apart are the "type" 

 and the "habit." If the grower at the outset has adopted the plan of studying 

 the habits of the different varieties, and has pruned for the purpose of getting the 

 best results with the natural form of the variety rather than for the purpose of 

 making all the trees conform to a common artificial ideal, then the work of 

 pruning will be greatly simplified and reduced. The cutting back of excessive 

 growths : the cutting out of interlacing, crossing, chafing, rubbing and diseased 

 branches ; and the shortening in, as an offset against winds, will be the chief 

 points to keep in view in all subsequent pruning operations. In the past, too 

 little attention has been given to the study of the individual habits of growth. 

 Pruning has been indiscriminate. Not principles, but practices have prevailed 

 in the direction of the work, until we can find trees of Western Oregon cast 

 in the same mould as those of California or Southern and Eastern Oregon. 

 I'ears. apples, plums and cherries have been treated alike as to cutting back, 

 form of head and style of branching ! The practice followed with a species 

 in a particular section, giving good results, has often been heralded as the 

 ideal form for all fruit trees in, at least, the same cultural zone. 



That such a course is most ill-advised can be readily seen if one will but 

 observe the trees growing in any well-kept home orchard, and it may be said 

 .iust here that the beginner in this work of growing an orchard would be 

 well repaid by making a study of some of the best kept local orchards. Noth- 

 ing can give one so good an idea of the traits of character of the different 

 fruit trees as a study of the real plants as they develop under the hand of a 

 good orchardist. 



