6 A Bulletin on Orchard Practice 



season. The excessive moisture in soil and atmosphere, and 

 the mild climate, are conducive of this rapid growth. Trees 

 grow late in the season, and there is some difficulty in secur- 

 ing thoroughly ripened wood. To cut back severely in winter 

 aggravates the evil, more and longer wood is the result. The 

 way to check this excessive growth is to resort to summer 

 pruning and pinching and even to root pruning." 



All of what has been said is applicable to plants in general. 

 It may be well to add a little specifically about certain fruits. 



The apple is generally regarded as a tree of greatest per- 

 manence. With this in view it becomes a matter of importance 

 to take into consideration a long future development. Low 

 heading has been indicated as a preference. An even balance 

 of top on all sides is desirable. About three, and not to exceed 

 four main branches should make up the frame structure. If 

 the lowest branch starts at twenty-four inches above the 

 ground line, then the second branch should begin not less than 

 six inches above the first, and so on. In the old tree, with its 

 greatlv increased diameter, the branches will then seem to be- 

 gin at very nearly the same point. If the tree is to have three 

 main branches they should be selected to alternate from about 

 three equal sides of the trunk to insure symmetry of form and 

 correct balance in the weight of top. The after-pruning 

 should be directed towards maintaining this balance and sym- 

 metry throughout the life of the tree. A very little pruning 

 each year should suffice thereafter. 



The pear tree requires about the same treatment as the 

 apple, with perhaps a little more freedom in branching as in 

 the case of some varieties of erect habit. By some growers 

 it is considered advisable to shorten each of the main branches 

 to about one-third its length after the first season's growth, 

 and continue this shortening process until the tree comes in 

 bearing. A young pear tree is inclined to produce a great 

 many fruit spurs along the main branches. These should be 

 kept rubbed off. If the trees are of great vigor it should be 

 done in the summer but if growth is only moderate the winter 

 is the best time. The main object in this is to insure smooth, 

 clean branches, which is a protection from disease. It has 

 been fully demonstrated that pear blight gains entrance to a 

 tree through the blossoms by the visits of insects from in- 



