262 



Principles of Plant Culture. 



(245b), and the loss to the tree of a small branch, 

 should it occur, is less serious than that of a large one. 

 Forming the head of fruit trees of three or four main 

 branches is to be discouraged for this reason. Several 

 small branches from a common trunk are better, and 

 these should be encouraged to leave the trunk at nearly 

 right angles (Fig. 155). Forks in the trunk of fruit 

 trees, dividing the wood into two nearly equal parts 

 are objectionable, as one or the other part is very liable 

 to split down under the weight of a heavy fruit crop. 



Main branches inclined to split down may sometimes 

 be prevented from doing so, by twisting two smaller 

 branches together, to form a connection between them 

 (Fig. 163). The branches thus 

 twisted often grow together, form- 

 ing a tie of great strength. A main 

 branch that has actually com- 

 menced to split down may often 

 be saved by passing an iron bolt 

 through it and the remainder of 

 the trunk. A bolt thus inserted 

 may become entirely inclosed by 

 later growth. 



"S# 



B STIMULATIVE PRUNING. 

 of F f?uit 16 tree B titS C to! S de P ends U P n the Principle 



formed *lt NwfsTe" that th PPssion of growth in 

 twlgs - one direction tends to stimulate it 



in others. Stimulative pruning may be employed either 

 to stimulate growth of leaves, branches and roots, or 

 of flower-buds. 



