252 



PRINCIPLES AND 1'KACTH'E OF PRUNING 



the previous season. In each of these cases the reverse 

 method is indicated. 



199. The mature plum tree. While there are mam 

 species of plums which differ more or less widely in 



FIG. 214 FROST-KILLED PEACH WOOD VARIOUSLY HANDLED 

 Left, tree not cut back in spring before or spring after the winter injury. 

 Middle, tree cut back both spring before and after that winter. Right, tree cut 

 back spring after, but not before said winter. The dark portion represents new 

 wood formed since the injury. 



their habits of growth, yet growers of varieties now used 

 for commercial purposes agree that the trees must be 

 pruned far less severely than peach trees because the 

 fruit is borne largely on spurs which may continue pro- 

 lific for four or more years, but more severely than the 

 apple, partly because some of the fruit is produced by 

 lateral buds and partly because it is necessary tti 

 renew the bearing wood oftener than in the case of the 

 apple. 



Since the trunks and the frame limbs of plum trees 



