PRUNING 99 



apples is more nearly certain. All this, I say, 

 is theoretically true. Furthermore it will work 

 in actual practice if you can determine the ex- 

 act time when the tree is at its low ebb in food 

 supply. As actual orchard practice the value 

 of summer pruning is overestimated, because 

 if the trees have been planted in soil suitable to 

 growing apples and if they have been other- 

 wise well cared for they will bear when the 

 proper time comes. 



Now just a word about pruning tools. You 

 will not need a wheelbarrow to carry your out- 

 fit around. Use simple tools and not many of 

 them. A pair of good strong hand shears is 

 perhaps the best pruning tool. These should be 

 strong and well made and capable of cutting a 

 branch an inch in diameter if necessary. If the 

 tree has been well pruned from the start it is 

 not often that larger branches will have to be 

 taken off. I do not like to use long handled 

 pruning shears. Those with handles two feet 

 long are much easier to use than are the little 

 hand pruners, but they do not make good clean 

 cuts and it is impossible to do careful work with 

 them. 



A good saw is absolutely essential if large 

 branches are encountered and a curved "draw- 

 cut" saw is far the most efficient that I have 

 ever found. The old "York State" pruning 

 saw is simply a good hand saw with a rather 



