PRUNING YOUNG TREES 



217 



than with the open type of tree. So it is generally recom- 

 mended that either the open type or the modified leader 

 be chosen. They must remember, however, that many 

 of the open trees are very easily damaged by blight and 

 are often ruined because the crotches are poorly formed 

 (Fig. 164). An effort should be made to have the branches 

 spaced as far apart as possible, so if a branch is lost from 

 blight, the remainder of 

 the tree may be easily 

 saved. It should always 

 be borne in mind that fire 

 blight works in suc- 

 culent growth, and that 

 in handling pear trees 

 one should avoid exces- 

 sive wood growth. 



Pears begin their 

 growth earlier in the 

 spring and cease it ear- 

 lier in the summer than 

 do apples. This should 

 be specially borne in 

 mind with young trees, 

 if summer pruning is to 

 be practiced. Some varie- 

 ties of pears, especially 

 Bartlett, have a tendency 

 to form fruit buds and 

 to bear fruit on the ends of the terminals. They will do 

 this often while the trees are still very young, but should 

 be discouraged from bearing in this way. The tendency 

 to bear on such terminals should be overcome by summer 

 pruning. The crooked growth of Winter Nelis and Bosc 

 is very troublesome to the beginner in pear growing. 

 Growers should not, however, worry too much about the 

 crooked growth, for as the trees become older, they will 

 take care of themselves very largely and this crooked 



FIG. 181 



PLAN OF TREE AT PLANTING TIME 

 Numbers indicate branches 



