Pruning Young Trees 87 



to be characteristic of the region. The conditions exist- 

 ing in the fruit districts have been so favorable for the 

 production of fine fruit that the growers have not felt 

 the need of the finest development of the art. We have 

 grown fine fruit whether we would or no. But now that 

 competition is more severe, and insects and diseases are 

 multiplying, more attention must be given to methods 

 and systems of culture. 



In training trees, one of two ideals must be adopted, 

 known as the pyramidal and vase forms. The former 

 preserves the leader, which is made to form a central 

 shaft to the tree. This style has the advantage of more 

 bearing surface, as the leader grows and in time forms 

 a "two-storied" tree. The objections to tall trees are 

 apparent, and need not be discussed here. But it should 

 be mentioned that under our conditions some difficulty 

 is experienced in securing a good distribution of bearing 

 wood. Some varieties, as the Gano and Ben Davis, are 

 inclined to produce too many branches, and because of 

 their position they make a weak growth and produce 

 inferior fruit. Eventually the best fruit is produced at 

 the top of the tree. 



The leader is done away with in the vase form, and a 

 few limbs, usually not more than five, are chosen to form 

 the top. A more or less open-centered tree is thus formed, 

 but by skillful pruning this space is occupied by branches 

 of bearing wood. Very tall trees are thus avoided, but 

 what is more important, such trees are not so likely to be 

 destroyed by blight, as recently pointed out by M. B. 

 Waite. Death to trees results when the blight germs gain 

 entrance to the trunks and larger limbs. Such attacks 



