SUMMER MEETING AT BUTLER. 49 



I believe that the cutting off of anythino; larger than a lead pencil 

 is a damage to the tree in proportion to the amount done, but on the 

 other hand, if we expect fine showy fruit, good size and well colored, 

 we must have an open topped tree that will let in the bright sunshine, 

 as that is very essential to high colored and fine flavored fruit. 



June is the best time for pruning; the wood hardens sooner at that 

 season than at any other and the wound will heal over sooner. How- 

 ever it may be done at any time during the summer, fall or winter 

 months without much damage, but do not touch them in the early 

 spring ; that is the worst season ; better let them alone altogether. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Kidwell asked how high to start the head. 



Mr. Bur and replied about three feet. 



Mr. Carpenter asked if fruit grown on the lower limbs of trees 

 headed three feet high was as good in quality and color as if headed 

 higher ? 



Mr. Durand thought that there would be no difference. 



Mr. Ragan thought variety should govern the heighth of heading, 

 as some varieties droop while others grown upright. He recommended 

 light pruning, but avoid all extremes. 



Capt. Henry suggested that for a long life tree head high. But 

 do not do this all at once, but trim up the large limbs at the bottom so 

 as to keep them off the ground. 



Jacob Faith cautioned planting forked trees. Head three feet 

 high; lean to the southwest; trim on the north northeast till two- 

 thirds of the top be on the southwest side. Do not plant deep. 



L. A. Goodman illustrated by a diagram how to prune a tree. 

 Do not take the top shoot out at all. Do not trim at all the first year, 

 but gradually trim up afterwards. 



Capt. Hines asked if the above would apply to peach and cherry 

 also ? 



Mr. Goodman thought it would in part, but in practice it could 

 not be done. 



Mr. Carpenter wished to enter his eternal protest against low- 

 headed trees, if for no other purpose than to save the knees of the 

 picker. 



Mr. Durand found in his experience that in this windy country 

 it is almost impossible to raise a tree headed high, and preferred low- 

 heads rather than have no heads at all. 



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