1092 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN XEW YORK STATE 



branches should be cut back to the first or second good side branch, 

 a practice that will result in a better spread to the top and permit 

 better exposure to sunlight. This will not require a more severe 

 cutting back than from ten to fourteen inches on well-formed 

 trees. In cases of irregular growth more severe pruning may be 

 iiecessarv. All side branches that have made a growth of from 



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eight to eighteen inches and are well set with the fruit buds should 

 be cut back from six to eight inches. This will thin the set of 

 fruit, but will increase its size and will also keep the tree vigorous. 

 In pruning the peach the following facts should be kept in 

 mind : 



1. During the first three years severe pruning tends to delay 

 fruiting and to decrease the yield. 



2. Moderate pruning increases the strength and vigor of the 

 trees Avithout reducing the yield of fine fruit. 



3. Xo pruning tends to early fruiting and maximum yields of 

 smaller fruit, but results in weaker trees that are subject to break 

 age and a shorter commercial life. 



4. As the trees come into full bearing, a more severe cutting 

 back of the annual growth should be practiced during the dormant 

 season. The result of such practice will be larger fruit, less ex- 

 pense for thinning, and more vigorous trees. 



5. As a general rule one might say that about one-half of the 

 previous season's growth should be cut off each twig, but this 

 should be varied at times and the fruit grower must make a study 

 of the effects of pruning so that he may properly judge conditions 

 each season. The formal shearing of the tops of peach trees to 

 make them appear like a hedge is not considered good practice. 



PRUNING FOLLOWING WINTER INJURY 



When fruit buoTs are destroyed by unfavorable weather during 

 winter and early spring, a more severe cutting back of the trees is 

 advisable. This is especially true if some winterkilling of the 

 twigs has occurred. Even in mild forms of winter injury the 

 trees are likely to be somewhat weakened. In cases where nearly 

 all the fruit buds are killed on trees in full bearing, it is well to 

 cut away practically all of the previous season's growth, and if 

 the winter injury is at all severe, to cut well into the two-year-old 

 wood. 



