45 



ditions are much different, and we require all the sunlight available 

 to give the necessary color to the fruit. The open-center tree admits 

 the maximum amount of sunlight, and with such a tree the work of 

 spraying and harvesting is minimized. 



To develop the ideal fruit-bearing structure we must commence 

 when the tree is in the nursery row. Here the central leader is cut 

 back and the gTowth of side branches encouraged. It is well to have 

 the main branches or scaffold limbs well distributed along the stem 

 or trunk, and never should two opposite branches be allowed to 

 develop at the same point, for a crotch formed in this way is likely 

 to split. With most varieties the lowest branch of the tree should 

 be started at a distance of about 20 inches from the ground and 



Fig. 1. — An apple tree in which the central leader haa been allowed to 

 develop. Such trees are inclined to grow too high. Compare with 

 Fig. 2. 



the uppermost branch about 30 inches. Three or four main branches 

 are sufficient to form the head. 



The main branches are headed in to about 8 or 10 inches when 

 the tree is set. The following season the secondary branches in turn 

 will need to be headed in. The growth maj^ be directed to some 

 extent by cutting back to a bud pointing in the desired direction. 

 In this way a spreading habit may be induced by cutting back to 

 a bud that points outward. Despite such precautions some varieties, 

 especially when making a strong growth, are bound to grow upright. 

 Trees of such varieties should be headed as near the ground as pos- 

 sible, and even then it will be necessary to check their gi'owth in 

 some way. 



