14 One Thousand Questions in Agriculture 



and around the trunk so as to give a strong, well-balanced, low-headed 

 tree. So far as wrapping interferes with the growth of shoots in this 

 manner it is undesirable. 



Coal Tar and Asphaltum on Trees. 



What is the effect of coal tar or asphaltum applied to the hark of 

 trees? 



The application of coal tar to prevent the root borers of the prune 

 which operate near the surface of the ground was found to be 

 not injurious to the trees, although there was great apprehension that 

 there would be. The application of asphaltum, what is known as 

 "grade D," has been also used to some extent in the Santa Clara valley 

 without injury. Of course, in the use of any black material, you in- 

 crease the danger of sunburn, if applied to bark which is reached by 

 the sun's rays. 



Whitewashing Fruit Trees. 



When is the proper time to whitewash walnut trees to prevent sun- 

 scald F How high up is it advisable to apply the wash? 



Whitewash after heavy rains are over and before the sun gets 

 very hot; near the coast see that it is on early in April; in the interior 

 it should be in place in March. Do not wait until all the rains are 

 over, because there is a great chance of bark-burning between rains 

 in the spring. Whitewash the trunk and the larger limbs — wherever 

 the sun can reach the bark; being careful to keep the surface white 

 where the 2 o'clock sun hits it. Be particular to whitewash, or other- 

 wise protect by "protectors" or burlap wrappings, all young trees; 

 the young tree is more apt to be hurt than an old one, but bark seems 

 never to get too old to burn if the sun is hot enough. 



Shaping a Young Tree. 



In shortening back long, slim limbs the side shoots come out, and 

 one soon has a lot of ugly, crooked limbs to look at. There are a number 

 of orchards here being spoiled in that way. How is this avoided? 



You cannot secure a low-heading, well-shaped tree without cut- 

 ting back the branches. Afterward you can improve the form by 

 selecting shoots which are going in directions which you prefer, or 

 you can cut back the shoots afterward to a bud which will start in the 

 direction which you desire. In this way the progressive shaping of 

 the tree niust be pursued. If you only have a few trees and can af- 

 ford the time, you can, of course, bend and tie the branches as they 

 grow, so that they will take directions which seem to you better, but 

 this is not practicable in orcharding on a commercial scale. There is 

 no disadvantage in crooked branches in a fruit tree, but they should 

 crook in desirable directions, and that is where the art in pruning 

 comes in. 



