196 



PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



The first lesson, then, is to choose four or five well- 

 spaced branches, having them issue in a spiral around 

 the tree, if possible, and having them as far apart as they 

 can be conveniently spaced [not less than a handbreadth, 

 preferably two handbreadths or more]. The farther 

 i _ , _ apart they are spaced, 



t^ e stronger and better 



the better the tree ob- 

 tained. To do this, one 

 must not neglect the 

 tree as soon as it is 

 headed, but must watch 

 it very carefully the 

 first month or two after 

 it is set out. It will be 

 necessary to rub cer- 

 tain undesirable buds 

 off, to remove certain 

 undesirable branches, 

 or possibly to suppress 

 from time to time cer- 

 tain branches which 

 tend to run away with 

 the tree. By observing 

 these simple rules one 

 can build a stronger 

 tree. It is for this rea- 

 son that growers often 

 advocate cutting tin- 

 tree at 25 or 28 inches 

 instead of at 20 inche- 

 at setting time, and then spacing the branches from 

 as near the ground as they can get them up to the 

 top of the trunk. However, if the tree is left to itself. 

 the branches will all develop near the top of the trunk. 

 and the tree will be weak. Only by careful watching can 



FIG. 160 



FIVE-YEAR-OLD WAGENER APP1 E TREE 

 This tree of less than average vigor was 

 pruned in July. The photo was taken in 

 October. Note that there has been practically 

 no growth response as the result of pruning. 



