FRUIT GROWING ON THE FARM 



269 



is to cut always just above a live limb, leaving no stub to 

 die, and to paint over the cut surface with white lead, creosote, 

 or any paint solution, to prevent decay. The dead and dying 

 branches should be removed and all such branches should 

 be cut close to the main stem from which they arise. All 

 branches running crosswise or toward the center of the tree 

 should be removed. The rough bark should be scraped off 

 the trunks, and the old fashioned practice of white-washing 

 or soap-suds-washing the trunk is not a bad one. 



PIG. 36. SPRAYING LARGE TREES. 



After such a severe pruning as recommended above, the 

 new life of the tree will manifest itself in a vigorous growth 

 of water sprouts in various places over the tree. Most of 

 these water sprouts should be cut away the next season, 

 except a few which should be left and pruned back to form 



