THE GROWING OF THE FRUIT PLANTS 411 



able. A good size is about five-eighths of an inch in diameter 

 just above the collar, and five feet in height, and if they have 

 been well grown, trees of this size will give as good results as 

 those seven-eighths of an inch, or more, in diameter, and six 

 or seven feet high. Buy first-class trees of reliable dealers. 

 It rarely pays to try to save a few cents on a tree, for quality is 

 likely to be sacrificed. 



If properly packed, trees can be shipped long distances and 

 may do as well as those grown in a home nursery, but it will 

 generally be best to secure the trees as near home as possible, 

 provided the quality of the trees and the price are satisfactory. 

 When a large number is to be purchased, it will be better to 

 send the order direct to some reliable nursery, or to select 

 the trees in person, than to rely on tree peddlers. 



Pruning (see p. 139). 



Having planted the trees, they should be carefully pruned. 

 As a rule, trees with low heads are desirable. Peaches and dwarf 

 pears should have the lower branches from 12 to 24 inches above 

 ground, and sweet cherries and standard pears generally not 

 over 30 inches; plums, sour cherries, and apples may be some- 

 what higher, but if properly handled, when started 3 feet 

 from the ground, the tops will not be in the way of the culti- 

 vation of the orchard. 



For all except the peach in the northern states, a pyramidal 

 form will be desirable. To secure this, four or five side branches 

 with three or four buds each, should be allowed to grow and the 

 center shoot should be cut off at a height of 10 to 12 inches. 

 After growth has started, the trees should be occasionally exam- 

 ined and all surplus shoots removed, thus throwing the full 

 vigor of the plant into those that remain. As a rule three or 

 four shoots on each branch may be left to advantage. The 

 following spring the shoots should be cut back one-half and 

 about half of the branches removed Care should be taken to 



