142 



PRINCIPLES A.\D PRACTICE OF PRUNING 





growing on the inner side of 

 the arm; that is, each branch 

 should grow toward the op- 

 posite arm and at approximately 

 the same distance from the 

 acute angle of the Y, say, 2 to 

 4 or 5 feet. Each branch should 

 be long enough to extend a foot 

 or more beyond the arm on the 

 opposite side. It will also be 

 an aid if the arms of the Y are 

 drawn somewhat closer to- 

 gether (an inch or two) than 

 they normally stand, and kept 

 in this position for two or more 

 years until the branches have 

 grown together. 



The principle upon which 

 this method is based is that the 

 intertwined branches will unite 

 by natural graftage. As soon as the graft union is com- 

 plete the tips of the branches may be shortened little by 

 little annually and finally cut off close to the arms of 

 the Y. It is advisable to leave as 

 many leafy twigs as possible on the 

 intertwined branches, but to re- 

 move these little by little in spring, 

 beginning with the largest, as the 

 union of the two branches becomes 

 stronger. The finished brace will 

 more or less resemble the one 

 shown in Figure 104. 



When only one branch can be 

 secured to form the brace, it may 

 be grafted to the opposite arm. The 

 branch selected should be well 

 ripened when used. This grafting 



FIG. 100 TRIPLE Y-CROTCH 

 This badly neglected tree is 

 triply weak because of the three 

 Y-crotches. It is doomed. Several 

 large branches have been cut off. 

 Two scars show. 



FIG. 101 



SAVING A Y-CROTCH 

 Pine 2 x 4-inch scantling 

 with telegraph wire is here 

 used. This is better thin 

 wire alone, but is not very 

 effective because there is too 

 much "give." The limbs 

 should be bolted together 

 higher up. 



