ORGHAKD AND GAROKN SUGGESTIONS. -li9 



ally die out, and water sprouls shoot up and tho tree becomes a harbor 

 for both insects and fungous diseases. 



When a tree is planted it should be pruned so that it has a well bal- 

 anced head with the limbs well apart on the trunk and with a leader in 

 the center just a little longer than the side limbs. This will prevent a 

 forked tree which is often the result when the center limb is not left 

 longer and encouraged to stay in the lead. The tree should be pruned 

 each- year thereafter, but there should be a reason for every cut made. 

 Where limbs are crossed and are injuring each other by rubbing one 

 should be taken off; or where two or more limbs are growing parallel 

 and so close that they are interferini< with one another one should be 

 taken out. 



By going over the orchard annually and pruning in this manner the 

 operator will seldom have occasion to cut out large limbs. The undesir- 

 able limbs are taken off when small and the tree suffers no bad results. 

 When trees are not prunned for a number of years after planting and 

 have a considerable surplus of wood, care should be exercised in getting 

 rid of it. It is sometimes better to cut out only a limited amount each 

 year for two or three years or until the tree is in the shape desired. 



When large limbs are taken off, as is necessary in pruning a neglected 

 orchard, it should be done preferably in the spring and each wound 

 should be coated over w-ith paint or grafting wax. But when the or- 

 chard is pruned each year it will be necessary to take out very few 

 large limbs and bad results will not be obtained by pruning at other 

 seasons. They may be pruned w^hen the owner is not busy with the 

 farm work if severe pruning is not practiced. Better at any time of year 

 than not at all. 



Grapes are pruned mostly in late February and March. They should 

 not be pruned except when dormant and many prefer early spring to late 

 fall as all immature wood is usually killed during the winter and can 

 be pruned off leaving only strong, live, vigorous buds. Many vineyards 

 are not pruned severely enough for the best results. When too much 

 bearing wood is left some varieties set more fruit than they can mature 

 properly and as a result it is of poor quality. Grapes, more than most 

 other fruits, require judicious pruning for the best results. 



There are a number of different varieties, many of which require dif- 

 ferent training than others. Some growers prune each new cane back to 

 two or three buds and others take out a portion of the new canes en- 

 tirely, leaving other canes almost their full lengih. Whichever system 

 is followed it is well, with most varieties grown in Nebraska, to leave 

 only a small part of the last season's growth, possibly enough buds to 

 average two or three for each cane that grew the previous season. 



^rORE SEVERE PRUXEXCi OF THE APPLE. 



By studying the tree at the time the fruit is picked much can be noted 

 as to the requirements of the tree. At this time the need of pruning is 



