260 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



twenty inches g'ain in length of branch. The question of how many 

 branches to leave is a matter of good judgment and experience. Aim 

 continually to keep the trees strongly to the north. 



If early fruit is desired, at the end of the season's growth we prune 

 to throw the trees into bearing the fourth summer. We should remember 

 the lateral branches are more likely to set fruit buds than upright 

 branches. The tendency of the most vigorous growth is to the terminal 

 shoots of the upright branches. Vigorous growth of upright shoots means 

 wood, not fruit We therefore leave the lateral branches nearly un- 

 touched, ofttimes full length, because under this method of pruning the 

 lateral branches are very likely to set fruit buds the third summer and 

 to fruit with more or less freedom, according to the condition of the 

 tree, the fourth season. 



TREATMENT THE THIRD YEAR. 



At the end of the third year's growth we prune in similar method, 

 leaving yet more lateral wood to set fruit buds the fourth season, and 

 come into bearing the fifth year. In pruning our trees we are careful to 

 leave all short twigs and many of the minor branches within the head, 

 ■ since the stronger branches now dominate the growth, take more of 

 the sap and dwarf the inferior shoots. This ofttimes causes these to de- 

 velop fruit buds and later to develop fruit close to the principal branches 

 of the tree, where the fruit can be safely supported, properly nourished 

 and developed. 



THE FOURTH SEASON. 



Under the system of cultivation we give, the tree has made a suffi- 

 ciently strong growth with an ample root system and trunk, to prune the 

 four-year-old tree in such form that it should set a considerable number 

 of fruit buds the fifth year and be ready to bear from two to six boxes of 

 fruit the sixth "year. Remembering the strongest sap pressure is upward 

 and the buds on the upright growing branches are best supported and 

 will develop the longest and most vigorous shoots, to make sure of a 

 formation of a considerable number of fruit buds during July, August 

 and September of the fifth season, we leave a considerable number of 

 lateral branches. If the wood is well ripened we may perhaps leave these 

 branches their entire length. If not well ripened shorten them. Because 

 the heaviest growth is thrown into the upright shoots the lateral branches 

 will force a less vigorous growth and usually develop fruit buds ready 

 to bear a considerable crop the sixth season. 



It is more difficult to describe on paper than to show in actual :work 

 in the orchard, how pruning should be performed upon the older and 

 bearing trees. 



East of the Rocky Mountains the character of the months of April 

 and May may be such that only a moderate percentage of the bloom 

 sets fruit. The amount of fruit set may be lessened by unfavorable 

 weather, rainfall, fungous diseases or freezing weather. 



