30 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



be removed, and in order to stimulate new growth, the tree may be 

 headed back, which often results in a new lease of life, and a new period 

 of productivity. Much bad pruning is done. The pruning which leaves 

 long stubs, and the pruning which lacerates the tree as the branch 

 breaks off, results in direct injury. All branches should be cut close 

 to the stem, and all cut surfaces should be painted. It is often desir- 

 able to cultivate a water sprout instead *of cutting it out, as is the 

 usual practice. The water sprout is an expression of nature's endeavor 

 to renew a branch. The old branch from which it sprung, cannot be re- 

 invigorated and should be removed and replaced by the young and vig- 

 orous sprout. This is not always practicable, but should be attempted 

 wherever possible. 



In short, then, orchard management, while it rests primarily on the 

 maintaining of the fertility of the soil and the destroying of the ene- 

 mies which attack the trees and the shaping of the tree, so that a max- 

 imum of vigor and health may be secured, has also to do with the selec- 

 tion of suitable varieties for particular regions. These are the questions 

 which the orchardist of the present day and of the future, must study 

 closely, and these are the questions which such institutes as this can 

 by the interchange of individual experiences, do much toward solving. 



Q. Would you cut closer than the collar, the natural swelling at the 

 base of thfe branch? 



A. Prof. Craig. — The closer you cut the quicker it will heal. You 

 should protect the wound, however, and painting it is the best method. 



Q. Why does summer pruning increase wood production ? 



A. Prof. Craig. — This cannot bfe answered very satisfactorily. It 

 is a fact, however, that severe pruning during the summer tends to 

 promote the production of fruit buds. 



Q. Does the production of fruit buds start about the first of August? 



A. Prof. Craig. — It generally begins before the development of leaf 

 buds is completed. Fruit trees seldom make much growth after the 

 first of July. 



Q. Why' do you use arsenites for spraying before the buds start? 



A. Prof. Craig. — In New York we are troubled by bud moths. 

 Q. After trees have been grafted would you prune out all the branches 

 at once? 



A. Prof. Craig. — No. Do it gradually and thus prevent sun-scalding. 



