PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



311 



THIRD SEASON. 



In most cases the three or more scaffold branches that were left at the 

 beginning of the second season will have developed several laterals and 

 the third season it is necessary to select such of these as will be necessary 

 to add another suitable story to the framework. From two to three 

 main branches emanating from each of the scaffold limbs, well placed 

 to balance the head, are desirable. These should form a symmetrical 

 top capable of bearing the maximum amount of fruit. As with practi- 

 cally all of our fruit trees, the open type head is best as it allows plenty 

 of sunlight to enter and abundant room for the branches to develop 



FIG. 118. Rank and upright tendency 

 of growth of Bartlett, yet a good supply 

 of laterals. (Photo by D. W. Pitts.) 



FIG. 119. Same tree as the one shown in 

 Fig. 118, after removing the central upright 

 branches. (Photo by D. W. Pitts.) 



without crowding. Interfering branches or any that are liable to inter- 

 fere during the season's growth should be removed. Cutting back to 

 keep the tree from attaining too great a height is always necessary. 

 From the third season on, great care should be exercised in cutting out 

 branches that are liable, if left, to need removal a few years later. Cut- 

 ting away big branches is always attendant with dangers, and the 

 pruner who studies his trees with the idea of preventing crowding of 

 branches in later years so that heavy pruning will be unnecessary is the 

 most successful man in his work. 



