43 



PRUNING TO FORM THE TREES. 



Pruning to modify Form. In pruning to assist a tree or shrub to 

 attain a desired form, it will be necessary to take into consideration its 

 natural habit, the modification required, and how it is to be effected. 

 Globular and pyramidal heads are the forms most suitable to fruit trees 

 in this part of the world. The oVvject of the cultivator should be to get 

 well-balanced trees or shrubs, and as perfect in form as possible. Trees 

 should be trained to assume the desired forms from the time they are 

 planted, removing and shortening back such shoots as may be necessary. 

 Care should also be 

 taken that the foliage is 

 so distributed as to give 

 the necessary shade to 

 the stems and branches. 



Pruning to promote 

 Growth. In pruning 

 young trees it should be 

 the main object of the 

 cultivator for a few 

 years to obtain a strong 

 growth of wood, and the 

 production of fruit ought 

 to be a secondary con- 

 sideration. The stronger 

 their growth the sooner 

 will they make thrifty 

 and profitable trees. By 

 the removal of some of 

 the shoots, the strength 

 of the plant is concen- 

 trated into fewer chan- 

 nels, giving an increased 

 supply of nutriment to 

 the branches that are 

 left, and consequently 

 these increase more 

 rapidly in bulk than 

 they would do other- 

 wise. In the case of 

 young fruit trees, it is 

 a primary object with 

 cultivators for several 

 years after planting to 

 encourage a strong 

 growth of wood, so that 

 the plants will rapidly 

 increase in size and 

 advance towards matu- 

 rity. Trees, as a rule, will 

 not bear freely until their 



A two year old 

 tree pruned to form 

 a pyramid. The 

 small cross lines 

 indicating where 

 the branches should 

 be cut. 



A yearling tree 

 without branches. 

 The cross line indi- 

 cating where the 

 stem should be cut 

 back. 



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