180 The Fruit-Growers Guide-Book 



the kind of plant and its vigor, the smoothness of the sur- 

 face of the wound and the. season at which it is made. 

 Theoretically the best time to make a large wound is in 

 the early part of the growing season, as at that time it can 

 begin to heal over without delay. Such wounds should 

 be made by making two cuts, the first one being made 



In removing large branches, cut them close to the main 

 limbs, the wounds will then heal quickly. 



a foot or so from the junction of the branch to be re- 

 moved with the limb to which it is attached. This will 

 remove the strain of the heavy top and prevent the bark 

 from peeling down on the limb that is to remain. After 

 the weight of the branch has been removed, cut off the 

 stump as nearly parallel with the main limb as possible 

 and close up to it, so as to leave no stub whatever. The 



