222 AGRICULTURE 



the young apple or peach tree is cut off at a height of 

 1 6 to 24 inches above the ground. The cutting of the 

 central shoot makes the side branches grow 

 more rapidly and nearer to the ground. 

 The lower limbs should be close to the 

 ground in order to shade the body or trunk. 

 If the tree is very young and small when 

 transplanted, all the side branches are also 

 cut off close to the main . 



stem (Fig. 149). The buds *" 



near the top of this stub or 



FIG. 149- CLOSE whip will soon grow out and 

 PRUNING 



take the places of the side 

 branches that were cut off. The number of 

 limbs can be controlled by 

 rubbing off all the buds ex- 

 cept the number desired. In 

 pruning a young tree, three, 

 four, or five of these buds FIG. 150. STUB 

 should be allowed to grow 

 into limbs. The buds selected to grow 

 should be evenly distributed around the 

 stem. If the young tree is well grown when 

 transplanted, its branches are cut off six to 

 FIG. 151. ONE eight inches from the main stem (Fig. 150). 

 YEAR AFTER Later pruning. The usual time to prune 



SETTING 



To be pruned as fruit trees is during the latter part of the 

 shown by the winter. After the transplanted trees have 



marks. . 



been growing for about one year in the 

 orchard, they usually need to be pruned again. All of the 



