318 



INTRODUCTION TO BOTANY 



Pruning has been found to increase both the quality and the 

 quantity of fruit. Sometimes it is done solely for increase in 

 quality, as when all but one or two buds of a chrysanthemum 

 or tomato are removed, so that all the strength of the plant 

 is thrown into the development of one or two specimens of 

 great size and beauty. In fruit orchards it has been found 

 that the removal of the old or surplus branches stimulates the 



production of flowers 

 and fruit. There are 

 many orchards of good 

 vigorous trees which 

 might be made produc- 

 tive simply by pruning 

 (see figs. 236 and 237). 

 Pruning properly done 

 not only stimulates the 

 production of fruit but 

 also helps to keep the 

 tree in such form that 

 the load of fruit will 

 be supported and easily 

 gathered when mature. 

 In pruning dead and 

 living branches care 

 should be taken to pre- 

 vent the entrance of 

 organisms that induce 

 decay. A coating of 

 paint or of tar upon the fresh wound usually prevents infec- 

 tion, but old wounds need to be cleaned out, sterilized, and 

 filled with cement. 



Spraying to remove or prevent disease is an important 

 branch of horticulture; fruit and berry plants are subject to 

 an increasing number of diseases, both plant and animal in 

 their nature. The subject of sprays and spraying is too exten- 

 sive for discussion here. It must be remembered, however, 



FIG. 237. A well-pruned peach tree just 

 past the flowering period 



Photograph by the Michigan Development 

 Company 



