262 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



SOME GOOD RULES TO FOLLOW IN TRAINING AND PRUNING YOUNG 



LEMON TREES. 



First. — Use good sharp shears so as to make a smooth cut. 



Second. — Never cut off a limb over f-inch thick with the shears. 

 Use a sharp saw, smooth with a knife, and then wax. Every limb 

 which is cut |-inch and over should be waxed, especially in the train- 

 ing and pruning of a tree up to five or six years of age. 



Third.— In cutting out limbs entirely, cut close and smooth, then 

 wax. Do not leave stubs in the tree. 



Fourth. — Never cut angular wood. Where a cut is made the wood 

 should be round, no smaller than a lead pencil, and a little larger would 

 be better. 



Fifth. — Never crop or shear off ends of fruit limbs. Never shear 

 the tree under any circumstances. 



Sixth. — Keep the trees free of water sprouts, especially the trunks 

 of the young trees. 



Seventh. — When in douht leave it. That is, when in doubt whether 

 a limb ought to be cut out or cut off, leave it until next time. It can 

 be taken out in the future, if it is necessary, but if cut off, it can 

 never be put back. It is necessary to go over the orchard at least 

 three times a year with the pruning shears. 



Eighth. — Never cut out the little fruit limbs which grow in the 

 framework of the tree which has been developed, only where they are 

 too thick. 



A very important point which should not be overlooked is the soil. 

 Unless the soil is kept in a good physical condition, manufacturing 

 food for the tree, one can not expect good results. The framework of 

 the tree has been built. On it hangs thousands of fruit limbs, fruit 

 spurs have set, thousands of buds are ready to produce more fruit 

 limbs and spurs, more fruit limbs are continually coming into bearing, 

 and unless the tree is properly and regularly fed one can not expect 

 prolific and continuous fruiting. A lemon tree is very much like a 

 potato in the comparison of the fruit buds with the eyes of the potato. 

 Every bud on the lemon tree is capable of growing fruit limbs and 

 fruit spurs, even down on its trunk to the top of the ground. Keep 

 the food factory in good running order, furnishing the proper diet for 

 the tree. With the proper handling of the soil and the proper train- 

 ing and pruning of the lemon tree, one can develop a tree which will 

 always and indefinitelj^ be a prolific bearer and a profit to its owner. 



