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APPLE FRUIT SPUR 101 



is of the same age as the spur on which it grows. Look at an 

 apple twig and read its history. How many ripe apples has 

 it borne ? In what years did it bear them ? How many green 

 apples has it borne ? 



Notice an apple tree that has failed to bear fruit. Do you 

 find fruit spurs on it ? Does the tree need pruning ? Have 

 insects injured the tree ? Is the soil poor ? 



Fruit Spurs on Other Trees. — Look at a pear branch. The 

 joints, fruit spurs, and fruit scars are marked on it even more 

 plainly than on an apple branch. 



Do peach trees bear their fruit on the ends of their shoots 

 or along the sides ? On peach trees the fruit buds are usually 

 in threes. The two outer buds become blossoms, and the 

 middle one produces leaves. Are peaches borne on new wood 

 or on last year's wood ? Look at a peach tree in winter and 

 notice the short, dead stems that bore peaches in summer. 



