Pruning and Training Plants 



123 



Figs. 66, 67 and 68 are good examples. We have already 

 noticed the bad results from improper cuts, as shown in 

 Fig. 62. (See H 59.) 



188. Pruning Orchard 

 Trees. Before we can intel- 

 ligently prune even young 

 orchard trees, it is neces- 

 sary to decide on the ar- 

 rangement of the branches 

 desired in the matured tree. 

 Whatever the number 

 and arrangement of the 

 branches, they should be 

 low enough to allow the 

 fruit to be gathered easily, 

 and high enough not to 

 interfere with the easy care 

 and cultivation of the 

 ground. Some prefer to 

 have the outline of the 

 pear trees pyramidal, with 

 a central supporting trunk, 

 such is shown in Fig. 70. 

 For most orchard trees, 

 possibly for pears also, it is 

 preferable to have a number 

 of strong branches starting out from two to four feet 

 from the ground. That portion from which the leading 

 branches start is called the head. This gives an open 

 center to the tree and allows more light to the smaller 

 interior branches, and keeps even the top of the tree 

 within reach. Fig. 71 shows the framework of an open- 

 headed tree. Fig. 72 shows the starting of such a head, 



Fig. 70. Pyramidal form of top. 



