HOW TO RAISE A FRUIT TREE 



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pruning is to give the tree proper shape and to promote 

 fruit bearing. If the bud at the end of the main shoot 

 grow, you will have a tall, cone-shaped tree. If, however, 

 the end of the young tree be cut or " headed back " to 

 the lines in Fig. 72, the buds below this point will be 

 forced to grow, and make a tree like that shown in Fig. 73. 

 The proper height of heading for different fruits varies. 

 For the apple tree a height of two or three feet is best. 



FIG. 75 

 Unthinned 



FIG. 76 

 Properly thinned 



Cutting an end bud of a shoot or branch always sends 

 the nourishment and growth into the side buds. Trim- 

 ming or pinching off the side buds throws the growth into 

 the end bud. You can therefore cause your tree to take 

 almost any shape you desire. The difference between the 

 trees shown in Figs. 73 and 74 is entirely the result of 

 pruning. Fig. 74 illustrates in general a correctly shaped 

 tree. It is evenly balanced, admits light freely, and yet has 

 enough foliage to prevent sun scald. Figs. 75 and 76 show 

 the effect of judiciously thinning the branches. 



