rEAR CROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



315 



of their plump, more or less roundish appearance, tlie leaf buds being 

 more pointed and more slender. 



The intelligent pruner will study the growth of his trees carefully, 

 noting the varying habits of the diiferent varieties, and will prune 

 according to the needs of each variety as grown under the conditions 

 existing in his orchard. Only a few general rules can be laid down in 

 regard to pruning, and these can be modified to conform to all conditions. 

 Specific instructions can not be intelligently given on paper and it is 

 necessary for each orchardist to determine the needs of his trees and 

 act accordingly. 



Fig. i: 



Fruiting spurs on Bartlett pear 

 tree. 



TREATMENT OF WOUNDS. 



Small wounds that result from cutting young growth do not need any 

 treatment except when pruning is done to remove pear blight as 

 explained in chapter on that disease. In the case of wounds following 

 the removal of large branches it is important that healing should take 

 place promptly and that the wounds should be completely covered by a 

 new growth of bark at the earliest possible date. There are various wood 

 rots due to fungi which often cause trouble. While the pear is not as 

 subject to wood-rot troubles as other deciduous fruit trees, in order that 

 as few chances as possible may be taken, there should be no stubs left 

 in pruning. Cuts should be made parallel and close up to the branch 

 from which another branch has been removed. It is obvious that as 

 wood rot is due to funsri, disinfection of wounds is very important. The 

 common practice in the past has been to treat pruning wounds with 

 common lead paint, or in late years with C or D grade asphaltum. 



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