The Bulletin. 



19 



Preparing the Trees for Treatment.— if the trees are to be treated 



in summer, it is not necessary to give them any special preparation 

 other than to cut out those branches that are already dead; but for 

 winter treatment some preparation is rj :3irable to get the best results. 

 It may be said, however, that some growers do fairly well by spraying 

 thoroughly every winter, without giving the tree any previous prepara- 

 tion or pruning. 



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Fig. 5.— Peach trees before pruning. Xote how difficult it would be to thoroughly treat all the long, 

 slender twigs. (Photo by Sherman.) 



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. 



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 

 thoroughly, 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 be- 

 pond 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 



