The Thinning of Fruit. 299 



neglect of the owner. Even with apple trees, the 

 orchardist should be able to tell within ten or 

 twelve years after they are set whether the trees are 

 likely to be profitable or not, and if there are 

 strong indications that the varieties are unsuited to 

 his needs the sooner they are grafted over the 

 better. In grafting over the top of an old apple 

 tree, it should be borne in mind that it is at the 

 best a harsh operation, and that the top should be 

 replaced as quickly as possible. In other words, the 

 effort should be made to graft only limbs of com- 

 paratively small size (say not more than an inch 

 and a half in diameter, and preferably less), and to 

 set very many cions, even if some of them need to 

 be cut out after two or three years. The setting 

 of so many cions is somewhat expensive, but the 

 orchardist should be able to do the work himself. 

 Finally, it should not be expected that an old tree 

 which is remodeled by top -grafting shall be of as 

 good and handy shape as one which has been grown 

 right from the start. (See Figs. 127, 128, 129, 

 "The Nursery -Book," third ed.) 



Thinning the fruit. The thinning of fruit for the 

 purpose of improving that which remains is a prac- 

 tice which is always advised, but comparatively sel- 

 dom followed. It has been demonstrated time and 

 time again that no work in connection with a fruit 

 plantation pays better than this thinning. It not 

 only results in a much finer product, but it is also 

 a means of destroying the insect -infested and dis- 

 eased specimens, and of saving the energies and vir 



