lo Jan., 1912.] 



Propagation of Fruit Trees. 



57 



PROPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES. 



{Continued from page 8ji , Vol. IX.) 

 C. F. Cole, Orchard Supervisor. 



Pruning. 



The writer wishes it to be dearly understood that the methods advo- 

 cated in this article are for general use in a nursery, and not when planting 

 out trees permanently in an orchard. When planting out certain of the 

 types illustrated, it would^^ however, be as well to practice the same or a 

 very similar method of cutting, if the grower wishes to secure suitable 

 growths so as to enable him from the start to frame his trees upon sound 

 lines. 



The object of the propagator, when pruning young trees in the nursery 

 rows, should be to start the future head growths from, or as near as 

 possible to, the main stem of the young tree. This can only be accom- 

 plished by cutting the branches hard back to 

 the basal buds, or by removing all branch 

 growths, thus framing a straight-stemmed tree 

 and pruning it as such. 



By practising either of the above methods, 

 the future trees will be framed with uniform 

 vertical or somewhat similar head growths. It 

 is not only an advantage to the propagator when 

 packing for transit, but also to the grower, who 

 will have a tree framed upon sound principles. 

 Whichever method is put into execution will be 

 controlled by the position and condition of the 

 buds. No hard-and-fast rule can be laid down 

 of how and where to cut. owing to the many 

 different types to be found growing in the nur- 

 sery row. 



Before cutting, the propagator will need to 

 have a clear conception of the future position of 

 the growths and type of tree he wishes to attain. 

 The sole object is to get good, sound, healthy 



•i 



52. CARELESS PRUNING. 



growth, and at the same time frame a tree with an evenly-balanced and 

 shapely head carrying no more than three or four healthv vertical growths. 

 The position of the buds upon the branches, also the many types of trees,, 

 varies considerably. Hardlv two branched trees of a variety are 

 alike; some carry buds evenly spaced to the base of the branches, whilst 

 others have them irregularly, and in many instances the buds near the base 

 are blind. At times, the most expert hand is at a loss how to prune some 

 types to advantage. 



The ten different types selected by the writer for illustrative purposes- 

 cover a fairly wide field outside of the simplest types. 



Before commencing the operation examine the collars upon a branched 

 tree, i.e., the basal portion of the branches where they join the main stem, 

 to see if there are any sound collar buds. Should any be present, reduce 

 the centre of the tree, if necessary, and leave the required number of 

 branches — three or four. Then cut these branches back to the main stem 

 and budsj care being taken not to cut or injure the buds. The result will 



