386 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



inches between their points of origii and so as to form a well-balanced tree. 

 A common point of origin, however, is not s^riously^ obj actionable in peaches. 

 Four main branches are preferable, but often the individual tree will be of a 

 better shape if three or five are left; although the latter number may result in 

 more or less crowding. Growths other than the selected scaffold branches 

 should be removed. 



The scaffold limbs should then be cut back rather heavily to produce 

 strong, stocky branches that can better carry the loads of fruit in later years. 

 If the growth has been rather short and stocky, less cutting will be necessary; 

 but long, slender branches should be cut back more severely. With an ordi- 



FiGuRE 29. A vigorous growing three-year-old peach tree before pruning. 



nary amount of growth, of 30 to 36 inches, branches of from 18 to 24 inches 

 in length should be left. In case the branches have made an unequal amount 

 of growth, the weaker ones should be left slightly longer than the stockier 

 ones so as to give them the advantage the following season, thus resulting in a 

 balanced tree. Generally the branches should all be cut back to the same 

 height. It will usually be possible to cut back to lateral branches. In such 

 cases, two or three of these laterals may be left on each scaffold and tipped 

 back. If the lateral branches have all developed from beyond the place 

 where the scaffold should be cut back, the laterals should be ignored and the 

 selected scaffolds cut back to outside buds. 



