40 



SUCCESSFUL FKUIT CULTURE 



is while the foliage is upon the trees, as they can be 

 more easily detected at this time. 



5. Eemove the weaker of two branches that are 

 rubbing together. 



6. If one branch rests upon another, the weaker 

 of the two should be removed. 



Covering Wounds — All cuts over one-half inch in 

 diameter should be covered with some preservative as 



Fig. 23— Pruning Saw 



soon as the surface is dry, to prevent the decay of the 

 wood. Among the materials used are linseed oil paint, 

 gas tar, shellac, grafting wax, etc. All are good, but the 

 first two of them being cheap and easily obtained, are 

 perhaps the best preservatives and most commonly used. 



young 



Fig. 24— Paragon Saw 



Gas tar should not be used too freely on 

 trees, nor over more space than the injured part, for 

 if it spreads over the surface it may kill the adjoining 

 tissue and do more harm than good. White lead mixed 

 with linseed oil and colored with a little lampblack, 

 chrome green and brown or red, will make a color almost 

 like the bark of the tree. 



Implements for Pruning — For cutting large 

 branches the saw should always be used, as it makes 



