1182 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY ix XEW YORK STATE 



clean, strong two-year-old trees with good roots, and to plant 

 these with care so that they make a vigorous, healthy growth dur- 

 ing the first few years. In the past, plum trees have been headed 

 three or four feet from the ground, but the present tendency is to 

 head them lower. Xo difficulty in tilling should be experienced, 

 even if the trees are headed low. 



Pruning should be done when the trees are dormant. It is us- 

 ually preferable to wait until the coldest weather is past to make 

 allowance for possible winter injury. The pruning operation 

 should be governed by the same principles and practical judgment 

 that constitute the basis for all successful pruning. Large 

 wounds should at all times be avoided if possible. As such wounds 

 rarely heal, they exude considerable gum, which is injurious to 

 the health of the tree. They also furnish various fungi a means 

 of access to the tree tissues. 



