256 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



a desirable appearance, yet there can be too much sunlight on the fruit. 

 We also trim as one method of thinning the fruit. In trimming we should 

 take into consideration the picking of the fruit and the spraying of the 

 tree. 



As to the trimming for fruit or wood growth we will not attempt to 

 discussi, for the reason that we are not well enough posted to take up the 

 subject. 



How. — We trim different varieties different. For illustration, we trim 

 such varieties as Grimes Golden, Northern Spy and all upright and com- 

 pact tops from the inside in order to open the tops; but for all open top 

 varieties, such as Ben Davis and Winesap, we trim from the outside in 

 order to make the top more compact. We think the top of a tree should 

 be as well balanced as possible. 



We endeavor to keep the water sprouts or suckers rubbed or cut off 

 all summer so the strength of growth is utilized in tree and fruit and 

 save cutting them from the tree the next year. 



When.— We prefer from late fall until March; any time while the tree 

 is doi'mant. I don't like trimming when the sap is running or the leaves 

 are on the tree. My experience is that the wounds heal better and don't 

 sprout nearly so bad to trim them when dormant. 



I would always use grafting wax to cover all wounds to keep the 

 water out so decay will not set in. 



I would not cut a ti'ee too bad at one ti-imming. If it has been neg- 

 lected too long, do the trimming by cutting some each year until the top is 

 opened out, but I insist if a tree is started right it should always be 

 trimmed with a pocket knife instead of an ax or saw. 



A Member: I would like to hear Mr. Burton's opinion on trimming 

 trees. 



Joe A. Burton: The question, how many limbs to leave, and just how 

 to trim the limbs, I might say, the easiest way to find when you have 

 trimmed enough is to watch the spray. You can not spray when the 

 limbs are too thick. The important thing to do is not to trim like our old 

 Adage Hero — he just cut out everything. If there had been Grimes in 

 his day they would not have borne an apple. I want my trees to bear all 

 the way from the top down to the inner end of the limb. You must not 

 leave a limb of any size, if it is in the way, but cut it off. Don't cut off 

 all the little limbs or fruit spears and leave the big ones in the way. 

 You have as much bearing wood on a tree properly trimmed as you do on 

 a tree with a great quantity of limbs. A very important point with me is 

 in the starting of the tree. Start it with a leader. Some trees don't 

 naturally make a leader. They have to make a leader or not grow at all 

 for me. I bend in some limbs and make a leader for it. I tie to keep 

 them in place. You have to have a leader. Then don't let the limbs come 

 out too thick; never cut a limb unless you know why you cut it. If in 



