130 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



able affair. An imthinned tree becomes a thicket of small, weak, and 

 dying laterals and spurs. An attempt to cure this afterwards by 

 sawing out many large branches is only partially successful, though 

 perhaps the best thing that can be done after such condition has been 

 allowed to exist. The only way to keep the interior of the tree full 

 enough of strong, bearing wood is to resolutely and regularly thin 

 out surplus shots as the tree advances in age and size. This work 

 is as important with trees which are not regularly cut back, as with 

 those which are thus treated. It is one of the most vital as well as 

 the most generally neglected item in orchard practice. 



In thinning out lateral bearing shoots seldom leave more than 

 one at any point; select the strongest; remove the rest close to the 

 branch. When a new shoot springs out at the base of an older one 

 remove the older one ; when a new shoot breaks out on the side of an 

 older one cut the older one back to that point. In thinning always 

 reject the older, weaker laterals or spurs. This does not apply to the 

 outbreak of strong suckers or water sprouts below the main 

 branches ; they should usually be cleanly cut away unless a new 

 main branch is desirable. 



Pruning of bearing trees should always have regard to the 

 removal of branches which have become decrepit through sunburn, 

 blight or disease of any kind, frost injury, or in any form die-back 

 from whatever cause. Such wood is not only of lessened value, but 

 there is also danger of extension of the trouble. Removing such 

 wood and training new wood to take its place should always be in 

 mind. 



Where cutting of large branches is demanded for any reason it 

 should be remembered that the wounds are most quickly healed and 

 least injury to the tree is to be apprehended if the cutting is done 

 near the beginning of the growing season and not at the beginning 

 of the dormant period. 



TIMES FOR PRUNING 



Some changes of view have lately prevailed as to the times, 

 within the dormant period, during which winter-pruning can be done 

 to the best advantage. Formerly it was thought to be a vital matter 

 that no cutting should be done until the leaves had fallen, and this 

 is still the prevailing practice, and may prove to be on all accounts 

 the best. Recently, however, pruning in autumn, has been quite 

 widely practiced. 



Fall Pruning. There is a time near the end of the active season 

 in California when the foliage changes its aspect. There is no 

 marked change in color, perhaps, but there is a certain limpness and 

 drooping which betokens decided decline in activity. It comes first 

 to the early fruits, the cherries and apricots, for instance, and upon 

 old trees earlier than young ones. The buds are well formed ; the 



