58 



POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



should be at least three or four inches between each branch to 

 prevent the development of crotches, which are especially 

 objectionable in apple trees. The arrangement around the trunk 

 is shown in figure 14; a, the first year's growth; b, the second 

 year's growth. 



/ /e i. ^f- 3 -^^ 



Fig. 13.— Forms of tree before and after pruning. 1 and 1a, at plant- 

 ing time; 2 and 2a, at beginning of second year; 3 and 3a, begin- 

 ning of tliird year. 



In the second year these scaffold branches should be cut back 

 to one-half or two-thirds their length (figs. 13-2a and l-'t-a). This 

 will cause two or three strong laterals to develop from near the 

 extremity of each stub. 



With the third season, the laterals which have developed 

 from the previous season's cutting back will again need to be 

 headed in about one-half tlieir growth. Shoots which are growing 

 inward, and those tending to cross or rub, should be removed or 

 corrected. The regulation of a shoot is governed by the position 

 on the tree. Note the designated ones and the position of the 

 buds in figure 14, and the suggestions brouglit out in figure 13, 

 3 and .Ja. 



How to Make the Cuts. — In all formative pruning the cuts 

 are made slanting and just back of the bud which has been 

 grown on the proper side of the branch to throw the resulting 

 shoot in the desired direction. The uppermost bud left on the 



