Pruning Peach Trees 



213 



top. Plate XXI (right) shows a seven-year-old Elberta tree 

 which was headed back to about the extent indicated in Fig. 

 17. This illustration shows the tree near the end of its first 

 season's growth after being deheaded. The vigorous growth 

 which now comprises the top should bear a crop of fruit the 

 next season, thus losing only a single year's product even if the 

 deheading is done when a crop is in prospect. Frequently, 

 however, it is done after the fruit-buds have been killed by 



FiQ. 17. — The tree in Fig. 16 after being deheaded. 



winter or spring temperatures or other unfavorable con- 

 ditions so that in reality no crop is lost as a direct result of 

 deheading. 



The tree in Plate XXI (right) will need rather heavy thin- 

 ning at the annual pruning, as it is too dense. A little could 

 probably be done to advantage during the summer. If a tree 

 which lacks vigor is treated in this way, the results shown in 

 Plate XXII (left) may occur. On a portion of the stubs there 

 were no buds strong enough to develop ; hence, the top was 



