35 



the cold is greatest nearest the ground, and the fruit 

 is liable to be frost bitten. Therefore, whenever the 

 branches bend down too low they should be cut back 

 to an upward bud at the place where the downward 

 arc commences. The main branches of a citrus tree 

 should have an upward tendency. The natural 

 drooping habit of a citrus tree so trained will soon 

 assert itself again through the formation of side 

 branches, and through the weight of the fruit. 



Citrus trees that have become too dense in the 

 head should be thinned out somewhat, so as to let in 

 a little light and air, as darkness is conducive to the 

 growth of insect pests. All dead wood should also 

 be removed. 



All water-shoots growing out of the old wood are 

 best removed, as these often grow with excessive 

 vig >r, and by taking up a great portion of the sap of 

 the tree rob the other branches of nourishment, thus 

 making for a lob-sided development. 



The best time to prune citrus trees is during spring 

 and early summer, as if left too late in the season 

 growth will often have taken place on shoots or 

 branches that would have been pruned away at the 

 spring pruning, thus resulting in waste of energy. 



