GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF ORCHARD 161 



the productiveness of the branches, or early maturity of 

 the fruit. 



The philosophy of ringing branches, or peeling off the 

 bark to promote fructification, consists in this : that the op- 

 eration retards the growth of the branches, which tends to 

 promote fruitfulness. But some of our most reliable po- 

 mologists contend that all such operations are highly inju- 

 rious to the trees, because they are unnatural. We would 

 not advise the practice, except when the bark is old and 

 the trees " bark-bound." 



Thinning out young Fruit. This is a practice that has 

 numerous advocates, and only a limited number to practise 

 it. Ever since we commenced the cultivation of fruit-trees 

 and grape-vines, we have not failed to thin out the fruit 

 especially of young trees with as much care as the same 

 trees were pruned. When young apple-trees or pear-trees 

 have been covered with blossoms, and a sufficient number of 

 specimens have set to make several quarts of fruit, our prac- 

 tice has ever been to clip off all but three or four specimens, 

 particularly if the branches of the trees were growing slowly. 

 It is exceedingly detrimental to young trees to be allowed 

 to mature much fruit while they are growing vigorously. 



The most convenient instrument for thinning out fruit 

 is a small pair of sharp shears, with which to cut the stems. 

 One man will be able to thin out the fruit on a large num- 

 ber of trees in a day, if he can handle his shears with facil- 

 ity. When the young fruit hangs in clusters, always cut 

 out the poorest specimens. Do not be chicken-hearted 

 about such a job, although it appears terribly destructive 

 to your crop of fruit. Faint-hearted women will hold their 

 breath at the sight, and even venture to scream as the 

 young fruit falls. But act the part of a wise and skillful 

 pomologist, and thin out all the clusters. The crop will 

 certainly be more abundant, and more valuable also. 



