I'KIM II'I.KS AM) I'R. \ITK1-; 01- I'kl'M.NC? 



in close proximity to a 

 weak one, the best way 

 t> strengthen the weak 

 branch is by cutting 

 back the strong 1 one. 

 The development of tin- 

 weak branch will be in 

 proportion to its leaf 

 and branch area; if 

 there is a large amount, 

 there will be a heavy 

 demand on the sap, and 

 the weak branch will 

 develop. I>y limiting 

 the branches and leaves 

 on the strong branch, 

 growth is restricted. 

 As a result, the follow- 

 ing year there will be 

 le<s discrepancy be- 

 tween the development 

 of the two branches. A 

 continuation of the 

 practice should lead to 

 a balance between the 

 two. The heading back 

 should be done, then, not so much from the point of view 

 of the tree as a whole, as from the point of view of the 

 relation of one branch to another. 



Cut the strongest branch the hardest ; cut the second 

 branch in vigor not quite so much ; the third in vigor still 

 less, until the weakest branch is reached. Then cut that 

 one least. It is only by suppressing the strong branches, 

 limiting the number of leaves and buds, that one can pos- 

 sibly hope to encourage the weaker branches. If it is 

 desired to grow a modified tree, or a leader-type tree. 

 the only difference that need be made in this pruning 



FIG. 162 



GOOD EFFECT OF JULY PRUNING 

 This vigorous five-year Wagener anple tree 

 was pruned in July and photographed in Oc- 

 tober. A vigorous response of new shoots 

 averaging a foot followed the trimming. 



