358 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The experienced nurseryman never makes this mistake — the inex- 

 perienced fruit-grower and farmer frequently does, and there is this 

 difference in the quality of trees by the two managements: In the for- 

 mer case, the well-grown apple tree from a first-class nursery requires 

 no staking when transplanted to the orchard site; with the latter, a 

 a slim-stemmed, top-heavy tree is produced, that nine times out of ten 

 must be supported to keep it in an upright position, and an exposed 

 stem invites sun-scald and the tlat-headed borer. 



Between the third and sixth year in the life of the young apple 

 tree is determined the character of future tree. Some trimming should 

 be done in the nursery row, but it is hardly possible to shape the head 

 and leave on only such limbs as will be required when the tree arrives 

 at a bearing age. Hence, the most critical part in the training of the 

 tree comes to the hand of the farmer and fruit-grower. Many fail from 

 the lack of knowledge of the growth of trees. Not only is a correct 

 understanding of the habits of growth of the apple tree in general re- 

 quired, but the farmer should be familar with the variation in the habits 

 of growth of different varieties, and to be able to conform his practice 

 thereto. Faults of pruning in the nursery can never be fully overcome 

 by training on the orchard site. 



Few trees when received from the nurserymen but need some 

 pruning when planted. There are two reasons for this. One is to 

 balance the roots and top, the other to lay the foundation for the sym- 

 metry and usefulness of the future tree. The first thing to be thought 

 of in forming the head is whether the tree shall be low-headed or the 

 leading branches high enough so teams can comfortably pass near ta 

 the trees. Orchardists very generally agree nowadays that the lowest 

 limbs at the trunk of the tree should be out of the way of teams pass- 

 ing under it. 



It is found a great convenience in plowing to have the trees 

 trained with one straight, upright stem. This cannot always be done 

 to the satisfaction of the orchardist, because of the variation of the 

 habits of growth of different varieties. 



The endeavor in pruning the young apple tree should be to retain 

 only side branches which join the main stem at a right angle. Any 

 other angle— size and nearness to other branches modifying some- 

 what — is faulty, and invites disaster in after years. It requires the 

 exercise of good judgment to always accomplish this in practice — the 

 theorists and picture-makers do it easily. 



One object to be kept in view is to distribute the leverage of the 

 top upon the trunk, so that the minimum of force will be exerted upon 



