122 



Elementary Principles of Agriculture 



happens that a fruit tree will set more fruit than it 

 should mature. Nature causes many of these young 

 fruits to fall off, but not always sufficiently. Where 

 too much fruit is left on the branches, the trees "over- 

 bear," with the result that they do not prove fruitful in 

 the season following. All the reserve food is used up in 

 maturing the crop and, therefore, flower-buds are not 

 formed. (See f 159.) Another good reason for thinning 

 is found in better quality of the fruit. A dozen good 

 peaches will sell for more than a gallon of "pie peaches. 7 ' 

 184. Root-pruning. In healthy plants there is a 

 balance between root-surface and leaf-surface. If a 

 plant is growing too vigorously, it may be checked by 

 running a spade into the ground to sever some of the 

 roots. 



Fig. 63. Tree properly pruned 

 before setting out 



Fig. 64. A badly shaped top, due to 

 not cutting back when set out 



