154 ELEMENTS OF FARM PRACTICE 



will need less pruning or thinning of branches than trees in 

 more sheltered places. Old, neglected trees may be bene- 

 fited by pruning, as the remaining branches will receive 

 more of the sap gathered by the roots as the foliage area is 

 reduced. If the trees are badly in need of pruning, it is 

 well to remove only a portion of the surplus branches the 

 first year, and continue the pruning the following years, 



A limb that crosses another, or is too near another, 

 should be removed as well as all diseased portions. 



Pruning may be done on warm days in early spring. 

 It is safer not to prune when the twigs are frozen, yet the 

 pruning should be done before the sprouts start. A branch 

 or twig should be cut off close to the trunk or the branch, 

 as such cuts heal more quickly than if a stub is left. The 

 scars made should be covered with grafting wax or some 

 similar substance. Pure linseed oil and white lead are 

 successfully used. 



Spraying. — Apples of the best quality, size and color 

 cannot be grown on trees that are diseased or infested by 

 insects. All parts of the apple tree — roots, branches, leaves 

 and fruit — are liable to be attacked by pests of many kinds. 

 Each kind of insect as, for example, the codling worm, and 

 each kind of disease as, for instance, apple scab, may be 

 warded off or killed by spraying. Apple pests are referred 

 to briefly in Chapter XI. Write to your state experiment 

 station for further information. 



Thinning. — As soon in their development as the apples 

 begin to show imperfections, or about the time that the 

 June fall occurs, approximately half of the crop may be 

 removed with profit. Every apple that shows disease or 

 injury should be picked, observing to thin the fruit in pro- 

 portion throughout the tree. The vigor of the tree is thus 

 maintained and its strength is expended on the smaller part 

 of the crop that remains. It naturally, therefore, attains 

 a greater size and better color. The tree is also likely to 

 become a more regular bearer, and insects and diseases are 

 destroyed. 



Picking. — Fruit should be picked from an orchard step- 

 ladder and placed in a cloth-lined basket or a galvanized 

 iron pail. Generally speaking, when apples are to be shipped, 



