66 



HOME FRUIT GROWER 



Pruning for fruit, therefore, consists in keeping the tops fairly open and 

 reducing both the number of annual growths and shortening the 

 remaining ones a third to a half. 



REJUVENATING NEGLECTED TREES 



Often neglected trees may be made fruitful in a shorter time 

 than newly set ones could be. Naturally the younger the trees to 

 be worked over the better, but vigor is of more importance than 

 age. Apple trees 50 to 100 years old are often well worth the work 

 put upon them. Never mind how much dead wood there may be. 



It may have died merely 

 for lack of light and air or 

 because of insects and dis- 

 ease. Notice the young 

 growths, particularly of 

 the suckers at the base 

 of the trunk and the water 

 sprouts higher up (Fig. 

 44). If abundant and 

 sturdy they show that the 

 roots are all right. Such 

 trees are generally easiest 

 to renovate. 



In all work when- 

 ever a large branch must 

 Fig. 44. Water sprouts and suckers in abundance be cut off always make 

 indicate vigorous roots a cu t f rom below upward 



a foot or more away from 



its attachment to the main limb or trunk. When the saw sticks 

 pull it out and make a second cut from above at the same point. 

 Soon the branch will drop off. Now cut off the stub close to the main 

 trunk or limb that is to remain. This method will prevent splitting 

 or tearing of the trunk due to leverage as the branch breaks. 



Renovation should start with the removal of the dead wood; 

 next the diseased and dying. Often this is all that dare be taken 

 out the first season, because so much light may enter that damage 

 may occur to the branches hitherto kept in dense shade. Always 

 delay cutting off the water sprouts until the last. Indeed, it may 

 often be postponed until the following season, when the decidedly 

 inferior may be removed, leaving the better placed ones to form new 

 branches where old ones must be replaced. 



Often the tops are too high. They may be lowered, but be care z 



