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THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



353. Pruning for open form. The form of the tree is deter- 

 mined when it is young. The length of the bare trunk is 

 determined by removing the lower branches to the height at 

 which it is desired to have the head formed. The head of the 

 tree should be given an open or a pyramidal form, in accord- 

 ance with the climatic 

 conditions under which 

 the tree is to be grown. 

 To secure the open-head, 

 or vase, form the main 

 trunk is cut off at the 

 desired height, and from 

 three to five side limbs 

 are retained to spread 

 out from the center at 

 as near the same angle 

 as possible. This form 

 admits sunlight to the 

 center of the tree and 

 gives a short, broad tree 

 that is easily pruned, 

 sprayed, and managed, 

 and from it the fruit 

 may be conveniently 

 picked (Fig. 129). 



354. Pruning for py- 

 ramidal form. In the 

 pyramidal form the tree 

 is allowed to retain its 



central trunk, or " leader," and side limbs are allowed to form 

 symmetrically around the trunk. A few of the branches are 

 removed from year to year to allow room for those that remain, 

 but the natural symmetry of the tree is retained. The pyramidal 

 form results in a taller tree, as shown in many of the varieties 

 of pears. A dense head is maintained on pyramidal trees to 

 serve as a protection in regions of intense sunlight (Fig. 130). 



FIG. 130. A "central leader" apple tree 



In this tree the central stem has been allowed to 



extend so that the whole top is pyramidal in form. 



Such a tree is favorable to regions of intense light 



(Diagram from University of Missouri) 



