PRUNING THE TREES 



is desired, thinning is a practical necessity, espe- 

 cially when the crop of fruit Is heavy. 



The proper time to thin the fruit Is just 

 after what Is commonly known as the " June 

 drop,'* i. e., the falling off of those fruits not 

 well enough pollinated or set to hold on to 

 maturity. In thinning the fruit should be 

 taken off until they are not closer than from 

 four to six inches apart on the same branch, 

 although the distance apart on any branch will 

 depend somewhat on the amount of the crop 

 on other parts of the tree. Never leave clus- 

 ters of fruit on any branches, as some of them 

 are sure to be small and out of shape. Further- 

 more two apples lying together afford a fine 

 place for worms to get from one apple to 

 another and they seldom fail to improve the 

 opportunity. Step ladders and ordinary rung 

 ladders are used to get at the fruit for thin- 

 ning. The cost of the operation Is not nearly 

 as large as might appear at first thought and 

 in practically all cases Is a paying Investment. 



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