PRACTICAL GARDENING 



such a way that they bloom about the same 

 time, which simplifies the practice of spraying. 

 Also study the flowers to see whether they are 

 self-fertile or self -sterile. Pollination is im- 

 portant in crop production. 



Pruning. The apple should be pruned be- 

 fore the buds start. Remove all water sprouts 

 (young, straight shoots growing from the 

 branches) . Remove all suckers (shoots grow- 

 ing from below the surface of the ground). 

 Prune so as to prevent the crossing of limbs. 

 Remove dead wood and sufficient branches to 

 allow a free circulation of air. Do not over- 

 prune. If the trees have been neglected in the 

 past, take three or four years to shape them. 

 Smooth the wounded edge of large limbs with 

 a sharp knife so as to aid the healing over by, 

 the growing tissue (cambium layer) . Do not 

 cut the edges on an angle. Have all pruning 

 tools sharp. The peach and cherry do not re- 

 quire much pruning after they come into bear- 

 ing. Remove all dead branches. If a peach 

 tree is inclined to have a bad attack of the yel- 



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