118 



Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



open 



with fruiting-wood throughout. The idea of the 

 head, however, can be overdone. (See Fig. 36.) 



Limbs that interfere or are liable to form bad crotches 

 should be removed and the main branches headed-in, as 



FIG. 36. Exaggerated Type of Open-centered Tree. 



the tree indicates the need by overbearing or by weak 

 growth. Moderate annual prunings are always to be 

 preferred to heavy pruning at irregular intervals; these 

 heavy prunings tend to upset a regular bearing habit, and 

 may bring on an " off-year." However, if it should become 



