APPLES 



pruning of apiiles, peaches and pears, be- 

 cause these trees are by nature differ- 

 ently formed, but with these differences 

 in mind we give a few general rules. It 

 is understood that these rules are made 

 to be followed when they seem best 

 adapted to the circumstances, but made to 

 be broken when the nature of the condi- 

 tions seem to re'iuire. 



Fig. 3. A Convenient Disc Cultivator, capable 

 of being: extended for rnltivation under low 

 trees. 



Rules for rruning 



First. We remove certain branches in 

 order that the plant food gathered by 

 the roots may be used to support the re- 

 maining branches and stimulate more 

 .vigorous growth. If the tree is not grow- 

 ing rapidly enough, this is ver.v important. 



-'*■ 



Fls. 4. A Beautiful Illustration ot" Symmetr.v 

 and Regularity in an Orchard. Seen from a 

 distance the tops of these trees are as level 

 as the pruning line seen in the picture. How- 

 ever, the trees are headed too high both for 

 the vigor of the trees and for convenience 

 and economy in spraying and in harvesting 

 the crop. 



but on a tree where there is a heavy 

 wood growth this is not needed and may 

 be an injury in preventing the forming of 

 fruit spurs. 



Second. We remove a branch when it 

 interferes with the growth of another 

 that we consider of greater importance 

 than the branch to be removed. 



Third. We remove a branch when it 

 grows in a direction to give the tree an 

 undesirable shape. Usually in the North- 

 west we prefer the open top and spread- 

 ing branches in order to let in the sun- 

 shine to color the fruit. 



Fourth. We remove a branch when its 

 weight tends to pull the top in an unde- 



Fig. .J. 



A Well Shaped Tree. 



— .1/fer Brarkctt 



sirable direction. The heaviest and long- 

 est branches should be left on the side 

 of the tree from which come the prevail- 

 ing winds. If this is not done, the tree 

 will lean, and when it is heavily loaded 

 with fruit the average weight will be 

 far enough from the center to uproot it 

 or break it, or in some other way injure 

 it. 



Fifth. We remove a branch when it is 

 diseased. We do this not only because 

 it is useless, but because the diseased part 

 may also injure the healthy parts. 



Sixth. Summer pruning is resorted to, 

 generally, in order to produce fruit spurs. 

 In young trees from one to five years of 

 age summer pruning is a method of caus- 

 ing the trees to put out extra branches 



