il6 THE AMERICAN PEACH ORCHARD 



carefully, it doubtless has this result. It is possi- 

 ble, however, by summer pruning to force a weak 

 growth from side buds which might otherwise de- 

 velop into fruit buds. Such a course naturally tends 

 to diminish the fruitfulness of the tree. 



SPECIAL PRUNING PROBLEMS 



It often happens that trees are seriously damaged 

 by wind storms or ice storms or are badly broken 

 down under heavy loads of fruit. Such injuries have 

 to be remedied as far as possible by pruning. Dead 

 and broken branches have to be taken out. No 

 directions have to be given about this work, as it 

 is a matter of individual judgment in each case. 



Another problem which arises frequently is that 

 of handling orchards that have been severely in- 

 jured by winter freezing. Trees in such orchards 

 are usually very much weakened. They always re- 

 cover with difficulty, but in many instances die. 

 Rather extensive experiments have been made all 

 over the country in dealing with cases of this kind. 

 It has been found that a moderate heading back is 

 the best pruning treatment which can be given. 

 Trees severely headed back or dehorned rarely re- 

 cover and never make desirable trees even when 

 they live. On the other hand, frozen trees which 

 are left without any pruning are not able to sup- 

 port the entire old top. The growth starts very 

 weakly and irregularly. Trees which are headed 

 back rather evenly to wood of two or three years 

 usually make a well-balanced growth and soon 

 recover. The recovery is not always complete, but 

 is nearly always better than under other methods 

 of pruning. 



