96 FRUIT-GROWING 



branches, whether large or small, must be cut 

 off flush with the trunk or branch on which 

 they originate. Do not leave stubs as they are 

 certain to die and as they rot they carry the rot- 

 producing fungus into the branches or trunk of 

 the tree. Where the stubs are cut off clean the 

 bark will quickly heal over the wound, making 

 it impossible for rot to enter. I recall one or- 

 chard in which the owner had left stubs about 

 a foot long all over his trees. I diplomatically 

 suggested that it might be better if he would 

 cut them off flush with the trunk. "Maybe it 

 would, Perfesser," he replied, "but you ain't 

 got no idea how handy them stubs is when it 

 comes to climbin , over them trees pickin' ap- 

 ples." If you want to grow ladders, leave the 

 stubs. If you are growing fruit, take them off. 

 The orchard above mentioned is now dead. In 

 cutting off a large branch it is often advisable 

 to make two cuts in order to prevent breaking. 

 The first cut, removing the branch entirely, 

 should be made about a foot from where the 

 final cut is to be. This takes the weight off 

 the stub and prevents any chance of splitting 

 the wood down into the tissues of the trunk. 



Be careful in removing dead branches. They 

 may have been killed by blight, a bacterial dis- 

 ease which can easily be carried from tree to 

 tree on the pruning tools. When working with 

 such branches it is always well to carry a bot- 



