CAKE OF THE OLD ORCHARD 827 



- PRUNING 



The purpose of pruning is to admit light and air to the surface 

 of each and every leaf on the tree. Otherwise the leaves cannot 

 p; r f<> mi their function of making starch. The objective point of 

 every orchard owner is to make every tree produce as many and as 

 largo apples as he can. This takes starch, which can be made 

 only by the leaves. The leaves cannot make it without light. 

 Thus conies the necessity of pruning so that light can penetrate 

 to every part of the tree. Apple trees on which the lower limbs 

 are dying have usually been brought to this condition by tightly 

 locked top branches through which the light cannot penetrate. 



FIG. 221. SPRAYING THE ORCHARD 



There are two types of branches water sprouts, which grow 

 straight upward, and branches bearing fruit spurs. In pruning, 

 all water sprouts should be removed, as well as nearly all branches 

 growing vertically, because they interfere with or shut out the 

 light from other branches. Leave only those bearing branches 

 which grow more horizontally and thus make flat, fan-shaped 

 branches. It is unwise to prune trees so that the bearing branches 

 are only at the ends of the limbs. Fruit spurs should be found 

 all through the tree. 



Pruning should be done annually in early spring before the 

 growth starts. Trees should never be pruned excessively, as is 



