CARE OF THE FRUIT GARDEN. 45 



from some dealer who has a reputation to sus- 

 tain. 



THINNING THE FRUIT. 



The design of nature is to produce the largest 

 number of seeds, irrespective of the fruit. Hence 

 the abnormal development of pulp is likely to 

 overtax the ability of the tree to carry. The 

 enormous crops of the Baldwin apple in one 

 season so weaken the tree that it is unfruitful 

 in the season following. It is a great evil to 

 allow such excessive loads upon our trees. Even 

 in cases where the amount does not seem to be 

 more than the tree can support, it will usually 

 be found that a reduction of one half, or more, 

 will still result in a larger measure of fruit, by 

 reason of the increased size of the remainder. 

 And of course the quality and appearance is 

 greatly improved. In addition to this all-suf- 

 ficient reason, a still more weighty reason may 

 be given. Just after the setting of the fruit 

 the attacks of the codling moth, the apple mag- 

 got, the curculio, and other insects commence. 

 A careful inspection will reveal which fruits 

 have been punctured. Such fruits are not only 

 worthless, but they are also the hiding-places of 

 the parents of a numerous progeny. It is there- 

 fore the best time to destroy these injurious in- 

 sects. And let the work be done unsparingly 



