PRUNING PEACH AND PEAR 319 



Michigan peach belt. It will be observed, also, that the 

 picture to which I have referred shows a tree with short 

 trunk and forking branches. It is a prevalent opinion in 

 many places that such trees are more likely to split down 

 with loads of fruit than those which have more horizontal 

 branches, but I think this to be an error. Of course, some 

 care should be exercised to see that the branches do not 

 start off from the trunk at exactly the same height, thus 

 making a true fork or Y. With this precaution, the crotchy 

 trees are no more likely to split than the others, while they 

 allow of a much better form of top, unless the tree is to be 

 headed-in. * * * 



11 Yet there is much to be said, fairly, for the high-topped 

 trees. They are more easy to till, and it is quite as easy to 

 pick their fruit ; and there is less tendency to make long 

 and sprawling branches as a result of careless pruning. On 

 rich lands, it is perhaps the better method. And here is 

 the chief reason for heading-back in this climate, the 

 necessity of checking the growth and keeping the tree within 

 bounds when it is growing in a strong soil. Whether one 

 shall head -in his trees or not, therefore, must depend en- 

 tirely on circumstances." 



Pear 



Pear trees are generally started lower than 

 apple trees. This is because the top tends to 

 grow more upright, and therefore to be out of 

 the way, and because the trunk is very liable to 

 be injured by sun -scald. Three to four feet is 

 the usual height of pear trunks in the East. 

 The top should be thinned out every spring 

 (preferably before the leaves start) ; but heavy 

 pruning should always be avoided, because it 



