PRUNING THE TREES 



wood and the fruit bearing buds. The proper 

 balance between these Is greatly affected by 

 pruning and can be best regulated by experience 

 with the particular tree or variety. A perfect 

 balance Is hard to get, but with study and skill 

 It can be closely approximated. Pruning, too, 

 may thin the fruit, as removing branches re- 

 moves fruit buds. This Is best done by remov- 

 ing small branches near the ends of larger ones. 

 It Is a much cheaper method of thinning than 

 picking off Individual fruits, but not as effective. 



Time of Pruning. — The particular time of 

 the year for pruning Is not vital. As be- 

 tween summer and winter pruning, winter 

 Is to be preferred because of the physical 

 effect on the tree. Summer pruning Is an 

 unnatural process and should only be prac- 

 ticed as a last resort to check growth or 

 Induce frultfulness, as It may result In in- 

 jury to the tree. It Is essential that a 

 tree mature Its foliage, which it frequently does 

 not do after summer pruning. Diseased, dead, 

 or Injured wood should be removed when first 

 observed, summer or winter. 



Spring Is the logical and usually the most 

 convenient time to prune on the general farm. 

 While dormant season pruning may be done 



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