320 PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



equipment as it is valuable in quickly removing branches of consider- 

 able size; however, in every case a saw will serve the purpose practi- 

 cally or just as well, and many orchardists depend upon the use of 

 the small hand shears and a saw. 



In blight work other types of tools are needed. Some of these are 

 shown in the chapter on blight. Another type of pruning shears or 

 hook sometimes used consists of a movable cutting blade set at an 

 angle in a hook in the end of a long handle (eight feet or more). The 

 blade is operated by means of a hand lever connected with the blade 

 by a metal rod running along the side of the handle. In pruning 

 shade trees this type of shears has its place. In the orchard it can 

 not be recommended. It is especially undesirable in the case of pear 

 trees on account of the blight and the necessity for making each cut 

 with care and knowing whether or not blight is present in the branch 

 removed, and if present whether or not it has all been removed. This 

 is not always possible when working at long range. 



