The Bulletin. 



23 



be said, however, that some growers do fairly well by spraying thor- 

 oughly every winter, without giving the tree any previous preparation 

 or pruning. 



It is best that the regular winter pruning be given before the trees are 

 treated for scale. Cut out all branches that are already dead or fatally 

 injured. Shorten back the limbs so that what remains can be easily 

 reached and thoroughly treated. For trees that are only slightly or 

 moderately infested, this pruning need not be any more severe than is 

 usually given. Trees that are quite thickly encrusted with scale should 

 be cut more heavily, so as to throw more vigor in the remaining branches 

 and to encourage new growth. When a question arises which of two 

 limbs to cut, take out the one that is most infested with scale. 





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Fig. 6. — Peach trees before pruning. Note how difficult it would be to thoroughly treat 

 all the long, slender twigs. (Photo by Sherman.) 



Trees that are so badly infested that they are already dying may often 

 be saved by cutting them back to mere stubs, treating the stubs thor- 

 oughly, and a new top may be had in the course of a few years. This 

 is especially the case with peach trees, many of which are treated and 

 saved in this way. 



Destruction of Infested Trees.— We do not recommend that trees that 

 are infested with San Jose Scale be destroyed, unless they are beyond 

 hope of saving, or unless the owner does not intend to treat them. 



But if the scale is discovered in spring or early summer, and some of 

 the trees are so badly infested that they will surely die before winter, 

 then either give those trees thorough summer treatment or destroy them. 



