460 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



Chapter XII for deciduous trees. This may be secured by pinch- 

 ing so as not to allow running out of long branches at first, or it 

 may be secured by severe cutting back of the long growths of the 

 young tree. In either case low branching will be secured. Make 

 good selection from these branches to form a symmetrical tree 

 and cut back the growth which comes upon them to cause it to 

 branch in its turn. In this way plenty of good, strong wood is 



Lemon tree with fruit near ground but capable of under-cultivation. 



secured low down, and with short distances between the laterals. 

 Strong, upright shoots (wrongly called "suckers") which break 

 out at points where branches are not desired, should be rubbed 

 off or cleanly cut away. Having secured about the right branch- 

 ing in about the right places no strong sprouts should be allowed, 

 and the tree should be encouraged to make smaller laterals, w^hich 

 will be the bearing wood. It must be admitted, however, that this 

 rational plan of restricting wood growth and directing the energies 

 of the tree to fruit has in some cases been pursued too far and 

 the tree has resented repression by diminished thrift. The primer 

 must allow freer growth of shoot to secure better foliage. The 

 pruning of the lemon as of other trees must always be pursued 

 with judgment rather than by recipe. 



When the adequate growth of bearing wood within reach is 

 borne in mind it appears that the pruning of the lemon involves 

 many of the considerations urged in Chapter XII for deciduous 



