134 HORTICULTURAL 



apple-tree form. This plan better shades the stem and 

 large branches, and shades the fruit more perfectly from 

 the sun. The after-pruning consists mainly in taking 

 out dead wood as it appears. 



Some of the best native plums on rich soil make so much 

 growth during the early stages of bearing that much of 

 the bearing wood is exposed to the sun and the fruit is 

 spoiled by scalding. This open habit is corrected by 

 cutting back the new growth two or three years in suc- 

 cession. When the heavy-bearing stage is reached, the 

 long growths no longer appear and the only pruning 

 required is taking out the dead wood. 



Some of the Japan and European varieties are also 

 thickened in the tops by cutting back half of the new 

 growth in the dormant period for two or three years in 

 succession, when the trees are coming into bearing, to pro- 

 tect the fruit and broaden the tops for shading the stems 

 and main branches. But it is now conceded by growers 

 that cutting back the tops does not increase bearing or size 

 of fruit. Its only value as indicated above is to shelter 

 the fruit and better shade the stem and branches of some 

 varieties. 



149. Pruning the Peach and Apricot. In peach- and 

 prune-growing centres from California east to the Atlantic 

 the commercial pruning is often excessive, literally cutting 

 wagon-loads of brush to the acre. This severe thinning 

 and cutting of side limbs is followed by excessive growth 

 of new wood which forces summer cutting back to check 

 excessive growth of new wood. Beyond all doubt this is 

 an exhaustive and useless procedure where lighter annual 

 pruning is possible iiuder methodic management. The 

 peach bears upon wood of the preceding year's growth 

 mainly. Hence the growers who follow the directions of 

 Charles Downing will secure the most perfect conditions 



