382 CITRUS FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



ful tool, but is open to the objection that it is not suited 

 to the removal of branches in close contact, as the remain- 

 ing ones are frequently injured by the teeth on the back 

 of the saw, i. e., the side opposite the one in use. The Cali- 

 fornia saw is a very convenient tool. The blade may be 

 placed at any angle, thus making it possible to remove 

 branches in cramped positions and to cut them at any an- 

 gle. In pruning lemon trees, a pair of long-handled shears, 

 commonly called lopping-shears are frequently quite 

 useful. 



GENERAL, REMARKS. 



Dead branches should be cut off and burned. 

 Frequently they harbor insects or the spores of 

 fungi, and these may attack the living parts. All 

 cuts should be made parallel and close to the trunk 

 or branch from which the part is removed. Stubs should 

 not be left. The cut should be smoothed off with a knife, 

 and as soon as completed the cut surface should be painted 

 with white-lead paint. In no case, where a branch of any 

 considerable size is removed, should this precaution be 

 omitted. The paint preserves the part by preventing the en- 

 trance of the germs of decay. 



All heavy pruning in Florida and the Islands should 

 be done before June or the period of heavy rainfall. 



PRUNING THE LEMON. 



The Baronio System. This method of pruning the 

 lemon so as to form a low, flat top was brought forward 

 by Mr. A. C. Baronio, of La Mesa, San Diego County, Cali- 

 fornia. The method appears to be best adapted to shallow 

 soils, and is not held in favor by those who cultivate the 

 lemon on stronger and heavier soils, as it does not permit 



