ROEDING'S FRUIT GROWERS' GUIDE 



13 



Railroad, my attention was directed to the Bartlett 

 pear orchard of Bracher Bros., two miles from the 

 aforesaid station. The symmetry of the trees gave evi- 

 dence that the pruning was being carried on along lines 

 which not only maintained active growth in the trees 

 but strong, vigorous fruit spurs, capable of carrying very 

 heavy crops. The oldest orchard is over twenty-five 

 years of age. It is in the very best of condition, as far 



looked; in other words, the branches should be forced 

 outward without interfering with their upward course. 

 In 1920 the current season's growth on these branches 

 should be pruned back at least one-half, with the ex- 

 ception of the terminal, which should have its growth 

 shortened one-third. A few side limbs should be 

 allowed to remain, not overlooking the fact that they 

 should be shortened in. In 1921 the same method 



Irrigating a young pear orchard by the furrow system. This method of only partly covering the ground with water 

 answers the purpose very well while the trees are young. 



as vigor and fruitfulness -is concerned and fully exem- 

 plifies the rare good judgment exercised in pruning. 

 It is not uncommon for the one-year-old budded pear 

 trees in nursery rows to attain a height of ten feet. 

 Cut off this top, so that when the tree is set it will not 

 stand more than twenty inches from the ground. Well- 

 grown pear trees have plump buds all the way up the 

 stem, every one of which will start. This, therefore, 

 should eliminate any doubt in the mind of the grower 

 that the tree will not start if cut back as severely as this. 

 In midsummer just before the wood begins to harden, 

 from four to five branches, well distributed around the 

 tree, should be selected and strips of wood slightly 

 notched and from three to six inches long, should be 

 used to push the branches away from the body of the 

 tree. These will eventually be the framework branches, 

 and the idea of pushing them out is to open up the tree 

 tc develop! the goblet form. 



For the sake of argument let us consider that the or- 

 chard to be pruned was planted in February, 1918. In 

 January, 1919, four branches regularly distributed 

 around the stem of the tree should be selected, counting 

 from the terminal one at the tip end to constitute what 

 will eventually be the head of the tree. All of these 

 branches must be cut back to at least six inches. If 

 any of them show a tendency to hug too closely to the 

 body of the tree, the wooden braces should not be over- 



of shortening in the leaders and thinning them where 

 necessary should be followed, increasing the side limbs 

 to balance the tree, and shortening them in. In 1922 

 the same method of shortening in and building up 

 the frame of the tree should be followed. In later 

 years the general policy of pruning continues, with 

 the only alternative that its extent is regulated by 

 the growth of the tree. This method of pruning and 

 thinning results in making a fine symmetrical, vig- 

 orous tree with an even distribution of fruit spurs 

 throughout. The fruit is evenly distributed over the 

 entire tree and in years of enormous crops the leader 

 is used as a support to string wires to the lateral 

 branches and to prevent them breaking down with 

 their load of fruit. 



THINNING 



Practically the same reasons for thinning the apple 

 are applicable to the pear. It is of the utmost impor- 

 tance to thin pears because of their very marked ten- 

 dency to grow in bunches. Another point, particularly 

 with the Bartlett, which is shipped more largely than 

 any other variety, is "the very decided advantage of 

 having early fruit because it has attained its size, thus 

 securing the benefit of the very highest prices. Less 

 wormy fruit, greater longevity of the tree, because its 

 vital forces are not drained, are most excellent reasons 



