OPEN-HEAD PRUNING. 253 



suits, and he will soon master the correct method of accomplishment. 

 The following general rule, however, may be laid down for cutting. 



HOW TO CUT. 



As INIr. Surface says, "get into your mind first the form which the 

 tree should assume' two or three years hence, and then cut to produce 

 that result," by removing all upright branches to the crotch or to a suit- 

 able feeder at least one-third the size of the limb removed, which, if loaded 

 with fruit would remain rigid. Thus we tend to produce the open head or 

 inverted umbrella form. As much as possible the cutting should be done 

 on the inside of the tree, so as tp push out the side branches to broaden 

 the top. Never remove a fruit spur or small limb from near the crotch 

 of the tree without special reason, as it may bear fruit, and unless it 

 assumes the form of a water-sucker, it can not possibly do any harm. 

 Those who practice this form of pruning deserve to be characterized as 

 "tree butchers." "'I'^i*? 



Now, when the tree is loaded with fruit the branches droop grace- 

 fully in all directions, and the bottom layer or limbs nearest to the 

 ground should, if possible, touch the ground at the tips, acting as a sup- 

 port for itself, and also for the limbs above, thus dispensing with arti- 

 ficial supports. 



As stated above, the theoretical objection most often advanced adverse 

 to this method is one of the skepticism, about non-healing, sun-scald, etc., 

 all of which are proven by actual practice to be unfounded and false 

 theories, and the writer challenges an example to the contrary. After 

 having had several years' experience in cutting trees of all ages and con- 

 ditions by this method, and also in top-working (cleft grafting) old trees, 

 we have yet to see a single example of permanent injury from cutting, 

 when subsequently the trees are properly nourished, even when a wood 

 preservative be not used. Paint or coal tar may be used for this pur- 

 pose if you feel that it is safer, but you will in all probability dispense 

 with this, except for very old and decrepit trees, after a few years' ex- 

 perience. 



So far as the writer is aware there is not a single disadvantage to 

 this method of pruning, while the advantages are many and manifest. 



1. The primary object is attained by bringing the trees down where 

 they can be handled economically. 



2. In addition to this they will bear a great deal more fruit per bear- 

 ing sui'face. The reason for which is explained thus: 



a. The central top of the tree, if left intact, tends to assume the 

 nature of a water-sucker which draws on the remaining branches, but 

 when the top is removed we have the opposite effect; that is, we throw 

 the strength to the side branches where most of the fruit spurs are borne. 



b. Again, the sunlight is allowed to penetrate to the center of the 

 tree in a more effective way than is possible with the close top, thereby 

 making it feasible to grow the fruiting wood much more thickly. To 

 have this thickly-growing, bearing wood is especially valuable if you wish 



