How TO PRUNE THE PEACH 



1087 



breakage of branches. Before beginning the work of pruning 

 one should decide as to the height of head or length of trunk pre- 

 ferred, even though this is determined to a considerable extent by 

 pruning at time of planting. 

 It might be supposed, for 

 example, that one preferred 

 to have the main branches 

 formed within from 16 to 24 

 inches from the ground. As 

 the tree is approached the 

 best two, three, or four well- 

 placed branches between those 

 distances could be chosen and 

 all other branches immedi- 

 ately pruned off. This sim- 

 plifies matters and results in 

 rapid and economic work. 



afc 



FIG. 341. WELL-FORMED, COMPACT 

 ONE-YEAR-OLD TREE IN THE OR- 

 CHARD; SHOULD NOT BE SEVERELY 

 CUT BACK 



Number of Brandies to Form 



the Head of the Tree 

 Definite rules are some- 

 times formulated as to the 

 number of branches that 



sli< >uld form the head of the tree. Three has been the number 

 most commonly insisted on, and yet exactly the same number in 

 each case is not of economic importance. A few facts that have 

 a bearing on this point may be set forth as follows : 



1. More than two main branches are desirable even if well 

 placed, for in such a case the entire load of fruit must be sup 

 ported at two points. Strong trees can be built with two main 

 branches, however, under some conditions. 



2. Three or four main branches allow for a good balance of the 

 top. 



3. More than four branches of large size tend to encourage the 

 formation of too thick a top, although a few small branches that 

 are not really leaders do not affect the problem in any material 

 degree. 



4. A slender, flat-topped, or relatively small growing variety, 

 such as Waddell, Greensboro, or Smock, might well be allowed to 



