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that there is a place for summer pruning in our orchard 

 practice. Extracts from some of these letters may be of in- 

 terest here : — 



I. From the letter of Professor M. B. Cummings of the 

 University of Vermont, dated Dec, 16th, 1912 : — "In general, 

 I am very much inclined to believe that much of our prun- 

 ing is best done in the summer time, and if annual attention 

 ?s given this matter, very little of the severe winter pruning 

 will be required. I think the taking out of the laterals 

 where the crown is too thick and pinching out the terminal 

 buds will tend to hold the tree in check and shape it up bet- 

 ter for the permanent stocky branches." 



II. From Professor U. P. Hedrick, of the N. Y. Agr. 

 Expt. Station, dated Dec. 14th, 1912: — "As you know wo 

 have several dwarf orchards in different parts of this state. 

 We have done some pruning in these orchards every season 

 for the past seven years, the time ranging from the middle 

 of July to the end of September. As yet, we have found no 

 time in the summer in which trees can be pruned to advan- 

 tage in this state. If the work is done early in the season 

 the weak succulent growth which is nearly always winter- 

 killed, follows. If the work is done late in the season the 

 effects of pruning do not differ at all from those obtained by 

 winter pruning. We have about concluded that summer 

 pruning is wholly unsuccessful for this climate. At least, 

 it is in the average season, under average conditions, and in 

 the hands of the average fruit-grower." 



Prof. Hedrick 's opinion seems to be based upon the be- 

 havior of dwarf trees only. 



III. From Professor C. A. McCue, Delaware State Col- 

 lege, dated Dec. 17th, 1912: — "I am a firm believer in this 

 method of handling trees and I believe that in the past we 

 have done altogether too much winter pruning on peach and 

 apple trees. Of course summer pruning can be overdone 

 and if care is not used and proper judgment exercised, a 

 tree may be seriously injured by pruning during the summer 

 season. 



