92 



Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



of the limbs will always remain the same distance apart, 

 so in forming the head one should have in mind what the 

 appearance of the limbs will be when they have attained 

 a diameter of six or more inches. 



Second year. It may be regarded as a rule, that when 

 a limb is cut back, unless the cut is made just above 



a strong lateral, two or more 

 branches will start near the cut 

 end, and some of the buds lower 

 down will develop into shoots. 

 The usual practice is to allow 

 two of these to grow on each 

 of the previous year's limbs to 

 form additional framework for 

 the tree. The two chosen 

 should be some distance apart, 

 one at the end and one farther 

 back, and so placed that the 

 formation of crotches will be 

 impossible. They are now cut 

 back from a half to two-thirds 

 of their growth, and the laterals 

 are shortened to one or two 

 buds, so that they may later 

 develop fruit-spurs and also 

 shade the branches with their clusters of leaves. If too 

 many have formed, some of them should, of course, be re- 

 moved. On the other hand, if we are to develop Waite's 

 idea of making the tree more resistant to blight, these 

 laterals should all be removed and so carry the fruit-bearing 

 wood farther away from the trunk and main branches. 



FIG. 20. Yearling Whip, prop- 

 erly Headed-back when 

 planted, but improperljr 

 trained and Annual Prun- 

 ing neglected. 



