10 SECOND THOUSAND QUESTIONS IN AGRICULTURE 



that it stunted the growth of the tree and worked injury to the orchard. 

 I find, however, I can get the new growth thinned out at little expense 

 when we are thinning the fruit. 



We would reduce surplus shoots by removing them cleanly at 

 their starting point rather than shorten them in May, for that would 

 induce them to send out sprays of laterals and fill the tree with brush. 

 The same thing would follow shortening shoots which you do need to 

 retain, above the fruit. We believe in thinning away surplus shoots 

 by complete removal of them and hand-thinning fruit, without summer- 

 shortening, those desirable to retain. This seems to give stronger 

 wood for the next season's fruiting subject to the regular winter 

 pruning against too great branch extension. 



Cutting Back at Planting. 



Some people cut their trees after planting to 18 to 20 inches above 

 the ground. When the tree sprouts it leaves a short dead stump in the 

 center between limbs. Other people leave tivo or three short limbs about two 

 or three inches long which does away with the dead stump between limbs, 

 leaving them about the same height from the ground as the first method. 

 With a dead stump between limbs would the tree be more liable to get 

 diseased? 



When the new shoot starts below the top of the cut-back stem, 

 the stub should be cut back to near the starting place of this top shoot, 

 so the wound will quickly grow over. You can leave short pieces of 

 the laterals in planting (say to the first bud) when planting conditions 

 are good and the trees likely to make a quick start. If conditions are 

 not so favorable it is usually better to cut back near to the stem, but 

 not so close as to injure the dormant buds at the base of the lateral. 

 If more than one of these dormant buds start, pinch off all but the 

 best one. Always cut back dead stubs to live bark below so they 

 can grow over quickly; they are likely to favor interior decay of the 

 branch or stem. 



Advantages of Fall Pruning. 



Fruit buds on peach trees have not developed zvell, while wood 

 growth is excessive where water has been supplied in any quantity. 

 Would not a light early fall pruning be of advantage? What would be 

 the particular precautions to take other than avoiding danger from 

 sunburn? 



If you cut back when the tree is too dormant to break new lateral 

 growth the energy will be expended in developing stronger buds on 

 the wood which is retained. There are advantages in getting pruning 

 done earlier, while the days are longer, the ground harder and weather 

 conditions better for work, and more time left for spraying and tillage 

 and a better chance to grow a cover crop also. The chief danger to 

 avoid is the starting of new growth in the fall and therefore signs of 

 coming dormancy are essential. Each tree must be pruned when it 



