38 DWARF FRUIT TREES 



planting is always accompanied by some cutting of 

 roots. The whole root system is disturbed and has to 

 re-establish itself before the top vegetates very strongly 

 once more. Such root pruning ought to be done late 

 in the fall. It is a special practice, suited to re- 

 fractory cases, and the gardener is not recommended 

 to indulge in it too freely. 



6. A certain equilibrium between vegetative growth 

 and fruit bearing should be established at the earliest 

 possible moment, and should be maintained thereafter. 

 Of course, some such equilibrium is sought in the 

 management of a standard tree; but it is secured 

 earlier in the life of the dwarf tree and should be 

 much more accurately maintained. The tree must 

 make a certain amount of growth each year, but this 

 must be only enough to keep it in good health, and 

 to furnish foliage enough to mature the fruit. Beyond 

 this wood growth the tree should bear a certain 

 amount of fruit every year, for annual bearing is not 

 only an ideal but a rule in the management of dwarf 

 trees. This equilibrium once established must be 

 maintained not by haphazard pruning, but by some 

 suitable system. If there is the proper balance between 

 summer pruning and winter pruning, combined with 

 proper control of cultivation and fertilization, then 

 the balance between vegetation and fruitage can be 

 kept up. It is a delicate business, like courting two 

 girls at once, but it can be carried out successfully. 



7. The training of trees into mathematical forms 

 is largely a mechanical process. For the most part 

 the trees are shaped while they are growing. The 

 young shoots are twisted and bent to the desired 



