PRUNING YOUNG TREES 203 



the trees at that time, cutting them back about the same 

 way as they might be cut back the following spring. 

 That is, terminal growths 12 to 30 inches long should be 

 cut back to the point where new laterals are desired for 

 the future body-building of the tree. With a tree running 

 to one or two branches at the expense of all the others, 

 it may be well to pinch these strong branches, to hold 

 them back for the time being, and thus encourage the 

 weaker branches to grow. 



FIG. 167 PEAR SPURS WHICH HAVE BORNE WELL IN PREVIOUS YEARS 

 At a are spurs which bloomed but set no fruit, again producing buds for the 

 following season's crop. At b the same except that no fruit buds formed. 



By the second year, nearly all these trees can be greatly 

 benefited by summer pruning any time from the latter 

 part of May up to the middle of July, generally about the 

 middle of June. This pruning consists of cutting back 

 the rank terminal growth so as to force out and allow 

 the laterals to make a good growth and become hardened 

 before fall. In this way a whole year may be gained in 

 forming the framework of the trees. A good practice to 



