PRUNING YOUNG TREES 233 



that the more severe the pruning the greater the tendency toward 

 the production of long branches. 



The total number of branches from 24 to 50 inches in length serves 

 as a good basis for comparing treatments. The results were as 

 follows: Not pruned, 27 branches; 36-inch, 71; 30-inch, 69; 24- 

 inch, 68 ; 18-inch, 65 ; 12-inch, 69 ; 6-inch, 54. This shows an average 

 of at least three branches to the tree from 24 to 50 inches in length 

 for all treatments except the "not pruned" 'and the "6-inch" trees. 

 This indicates that about the same number of vigorous branches 

 developed under all but the most extreme treatments, yet the actual 

 position of the branches may vary greatly. If each grade is ex- 

 amined separately, differences are noted. 



Increased size and vigor of the trees and their root systems may 

 be expected to offset a slight advantage in the number of buds 

 beyond certain limits. The proportion of top to root also bears on 

 the case. Yet, with due consideration to the importance of these 

 factors, there is abundant evidence to show that bud and branch 

 development at different points upon the trunks of one-year-old 

 peach trees as received from the nursery has an important bearing 

 upon the growth of these trees as they are pruned and planted. 



If a tree is cut back above a point where well-developed buds are 

 numerous, good branch development may be expected. On the 

 other hand, if a tree is cut back just above a point where there are 

 but few buds, the tree may fail to start well, or perhaps not start 

 at all, leaving a dead stub. Some variation is to be looked for 

 between different lots of nursery trees even of the same variety, 

 and especially where insects or diseases have affected the develop- 

 ment of the trees ; yet the data demonstrate that many facts are re- 

 markably constant. 



185. Commercial results. A treatment of a plant that results in 

 the most vigorous growth is not necessarily the most profitable or 

 desirable treatment from a commercial standpoint. It is possible 

 for a tree to make a large amount of growth, but it may be in such 

 a form as to be poorly adapted to the production and support of a 

 crop of fruit. In general, however, any treatment which depresses 

 growth interferes with the tree's commercial possibilities. 



The tendency for trees of ^-inch grade, cut back to 6 inches 

 when set, is to develop one or two large leading branches from near 

 the point of budding and sometimes below. Where several branches 

 develop close to the surface of the ground the control of borers is 

 made difficult. Trees of the same grade cut to 12 inches are quite 

 similar to the 6-inch trees. Trees of the 3^-inch grade cut to 30 

 inches are well-formed trees which permit of a short trunk and a 

 good distribution of the main branches. 



The 18 and 24-inch treatments of ^-inch stored Elberta trees 

 failed to produce branches much above 6 inches from the ground 

 and the "stub" finally died. Trees of large caliper commonly have 

 few or no well-formed buds upon this portion of the trunk and fail 



