198 



Pedch-Gr owing 



Large size of fruit and productiveness of tree are, therefore, 

 probably more important than high color, hence the density 

 of the top and certain other characteristics of the tree and 

 its environment are correlated to some extent with the pur- 

 pose for which the fruit is used. 



While it may be necessary or advisable, when trees are 

 very heavily loaded with fruit, to prop the limbs as shown 

 in Plate XX, to prevent them from breaking, the form of 

 support shown in Fig. 12 can be used in many cases to good 

 advantage. Large screw-eyes are screwed into the limbs 

 which soon rust enough to prevent them from pulling out 

 with any ordinary weight of fruit. Then wires, one end of 

 each being twisted into a screw-eye, pass to a common 

 center which is a small ring. In this way each limb is 



supported by all 

 the others on the 

 opposite side of 

 the tree. This 

 plan of giving sup- 

 port to the limbs 

 does away with 

 the inconvenience 

 of the props. 



In Plate XX is 

 shown a conven- 

 ient form of or- 

 chard sled for use 

 in removing the 

 brush from the orchard after pruning, while Fig. 13, 

 which illustrates a "brush burner," suggests still another 

 way of disposing of the brush. This implement consists 

 of an iron frame put together in the form of a sled, 



Fig. 12. — A desirable method of supporting the 

 branches to prevent breaking when heavily loaded 

 with fruit. 



