412 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



avoid crotches, and if any of the branches cross, so that they are 

 Hkely to rub, one or the other should be cut out. This cutting- 

 back and trimming-out should be continued for two or three 

 years, and in the case of dwarf pear trees regular heading-back 

 each year should be continued. Although an occasional head- 

 ing-back will be of advantage to the trees, apple, plum, and 

 cherry trees that have been properly pruned while young will 

 not require so much attention after they come into bearing. 



Heavy pruning of the top tends to the production of wood; 

 therefore the severe pruning of orchard trees, following three 

 or four years of neglect, sets the trees into heavy wood-bearing, 

 and makes them more vigorous. Such treatment generally 

 tends away from fruit-bearing. This heavy pruning is usually 

 necessary in neglected orchards, however, to bring trees back 

 into shape and to revitalize them; but the best pruning-treat- 

 ment of an orchard is to prune it a little every year. It should 

 be so pruned that the tops of the trees will be open, that no two 

 limbs will interfere with each other, and so that the fruit itself 

 will not be so abundant as to overload the tree. 



In general, it is best to prune orchard trees late in winter or 

 early in spring. It is sometimes better, however, to leave peaches 

 and other tender fruits until after the buds have swollen, or 

 even after the flowers have fallen, in order that one may deter- 

 mine how much they have been injured by the winter. Grape 

 vines should be pruned in winter or not later (in New York) 

 than the first of March. If pruned later than this, they may 

 bleed. The above remarks will apply to other trees as well as 

 to fruits. 



Thinning the fruit. 



If the best size and quality of fruit are desired, care must be 

 taken to see that the plant does not overbear. 



Thinning of fruit has four general uses : to cause the remaining 

 fruit to grow larger; to increase the chances of annual crops ; 



