LUTHER BURBANK 
cutting away the surplus growth of half dead twigs 
and branches that a neglected tree is sure to ex- 
hibit. These serve to distract the energies of the 
tree, if the phrase be permitted, and even though 
they may multiply the number of fruit buds, they 
will greatly minimize the average size of the fruit 
itself. 
Regardless of quality, fruit trees generally can- 
not bear to advantage unless properly pruned. 
The process may best be carried out late in the 
winter or very early in the spring. It is well, as 
a matter of course, to make clean, sharp ampu- 
tations, so that the bark of the limb below the 
cut is never torn. No general rule can be given 
as to the amount of pruning for any species; much 
less for any individual tree. But it may be taken 
for granted that the amateur will usually err on 
the side of pruning too little rather than too much. 
Where small twigs are cut away by the pruning 
knife, it is not necessary to treat the stump; but 
larger branches, requiring the use of the saw, 
should have the stump covered with hot wax or 
paint to protect the injured tissues from the 
weather during the period of healing. This should 
not be done immediately, but should be delayed 
for a week or more until evaporation has dried 
the tissues sufficiently to allow absorption of the 
protective material used. 
[44] 
