APPLE GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



57 



leaving two or three inches at first and cutting the new growth back 

 two or three times later in the season, so that by the end of the growing 

 period there would be formed a growth about six inches long, a fruit 

 spur that would bear excellent fruit the following season could be 

 developed. Fig. 37 shows one of the trees in the experimental orchard 

 near Watsonville. Similar results may be attained by cutting back 

 these sprouts during the dormant season, but it may take several 

 years to form healthy, vigorous fruit spurs. By the summer pruning 

 method only one season is necessary. Not only are the water sprouts 





I-'iii. ::v---l5ranrh \\rll studded with apples, close to the main limb and not in 

 danger of wind damage. (Original) 



cut back but also new growth throughout the entire head of the trees. 

 Thus fruit spurs are formed close to the larger limbs and as a result 

 apples are produced close in as shown in Fig. 38. 



The results of the experimental work done by Messrs. Mallard and 

 Volck mean much to orchardists who have allowed the destruction by 

 pruning of fruit spurs low down on their trees. Heavy cutting back 

 from the top will generally induce much of the so-called water sprout 

 urowth low down, which may be utilized in the development of spurs. 

 Xot only the water sprouts low down on the trunk may be made over 

 into fruit bearing wood, but new growth anywhere on the tree may be 

 handled in the same manner with the consequent development of fruit 

 spurs. In places where trees have a tendency to bear light loads of 

 fruit this method of summer pruning, whereby all rank growth is 

 checked and the development of fruit spurs encouraged, can be used 

 to very great advantauv. 



NATURAL BRACING. 



When a tree has not been well headed or well pruned it is sometiim-s 

 desirable to brace the branches against possible injury. This is done 

 by twisting together two young twigs, when a union bet\veen the two 

 will take place, forming sucli a brace as shown in Fig. 39. 



