136 An American Fruit-Farm 



ous. Orchard trimming begins at planting and 

 continues during the Hfe of the tree. During the 

 first five years the shape of the tree is fixed. Avoid 

 the two-Hmbed or Y-shaped trunk, which is a 

 constant invitation for the wind to spHt. Three 

 or four Hmbs in balance give the true form. If you 

 cannot avoid the two-limbed trunk, and wind or 

 snow or ice or heavy crop split the tree, you may 

 perhaps save your tree, even for years of service, 

 by bolting the split limbs together and holding the 

 limbs above the split by a few wire strings, care- 

 fully protecting the bark against the wire by means 

 of pieces of wood. By twisting the wire like a 

 tourniquet you may ease the strain on the bolt. 

 The tree may grow together and serve you many 

 years; but you will have to watch the wire, insert 

 new blocks of wood, and favor the tree by rather 

 heavier trimming than usual. A hoop, or chain, or 

 wire should never be allowed to come directly 

 against the bark; it will girdle the limb. The 

 crevice in the split may well be filled with grafting 

 wax or tar or paint to keep out water. If the tree 

 is one in a large orchard and is young, prudence will 

 root it out and set another in its place. The 

 supreme rule of the orchard is to have only strong, 

 healthy bearing trees. Weaklings take all the la- 

 bor and amount to nothing. It is best to supplant 

 all old trees, which are past their prime, by new 

 ones. The added profit of the new tree will com- 

 pensate for the loss of the old one. Remember that 

 it is the best trees which pay all the expenses of the 



