298 State Horticultural Society. 



and second, the fruit that is oTown on the north side is less colored and 

 not so well grown as on any 'of the other sides. Again, there is less 

 danger of sun scalded trunks where the tree is well shaded on the south. 

 Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that the fruit of most 

 varieties of fruit trees is formed from the central portion of the main 

 branches of a tree and toward the outer sides, not so much toward the 

 trunk of the tree, so that close heading back would diminish the amount 

 of well colored fruit ; remembering the best colored fruit is found where 

 it receives sufficient sunlight and air : and would therefore be a hinder- 

 ance to its productiveness, as well as diminish the value of the crop. It 

 is well known that nurserymen who have no scion orchards prune the 

 outward and upward branches of his orchard trees, in order to obtain 

 grafting wood ; it is, therefore, apparent that such heading back is done in 

 order to secure a more vigorous growth of wood, at the expense of part, 

 if not all, of the crop of fruit the tree would bear. 



High headed trees are not much in evidence in our commercial or- 

 chards, as the trees are more subject to sun scalded trunks, making a 

 lodgment for tree borers, and generally causing the tree to lean in any 

 direction that the storms of summer incline them, besides making an un- 

 sightly orchard, and no more accessible (by reason 'of leaning trees) than 

 if they were low headed trees instead. Following the above suggestions 

 we have, first, a well formed tree that will withstand the storm, sufficiently 

 open to mature well colored fruit, the fruit will remain on the tree longer, 

 accessibility for spraying, and finally ease in gathering the crop, which 

 means less cost in handling, etc. 



Some varieties of apples, as Missouri Pippin, Winesap (and its 

 type), Romanite and Jonathan, require an occasional heading back, which 

 should be done when the tree is in its off year of fruiting. This will also 

 give the tree a chance to restore its root system, for which the above 

 varieties require an occasional rest, as often as once in four or five years. 



Peach trees should be headed back in a year when the crop of fruit 

 is killed. The tree should be allowed to grow in a natural way until fall, 

 when the fruit buds will be more numerous, after which all spindling 

 branches should be cut out, leaving the larger limbs sufficient room. 



Pear trees require but little pruning other than heading back. Cherry 

 trees, least of all fruits, as the fruit is borne almost entirely on the out- 

 ward branches. 



Apple trees form the first growth of leaves at the terminals or ends 

 of the branches before the bloom is developed, and the blooming period 

 might be retarded somewhat by pruning the terminals of branches before 

 time of blooming in order that a new leaf start would ensue. Peach trees 

 bloom and start their leaves at or about the same time. 



