LUTHER BURBANK 



cutting away the surplus growth of half dead twigs 

 and branches that a neglected tree is sure to ex- 

 hibit. These serve to distract the energies of the 

 tree, if the phrase be permitted, and even though 

 they may multiply the number of fruit buds, they 

 will greatly minimize the average size of the fruit 

 itself. 



Regardless of quality, fruit trees generally can- 

 not bear to advantage unless properly pruned. 



The process may best be carried out late in the 

 winter or very early in the spring. It is well, as 

 a matter of course, to make clean, sharp ampu- 

 tations, so that the bark of the limb below the 

 cut is never torn. No general rule can be given 

 as to the amount of pruning for any species; much 

 less for any individual tree. But it may be taken 

 for granted that the amateur will usually err on 

 the side of pruning too little rather than too much. 



Where small twigs are cut away by the pruning 

 knife, it is not necessary to treat the stump; but 

 larger branches, requiring the use of the saw, 

 should have the stump covered with hot wax or 

 paint to protect the injured tissues from the 

 weather during the period of healing. This should 

 not be done immediately, but should be delayed 

 for a week or more until evaporation has dried 

 the tissues sufficiently to allow absorption of the 

 protective material used. 



[44] 



