210 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



Care in Pruning. Avoid cutting very large branches if 

 several smaller cuts will accomplish the same result. Large 

 wounds are apt to lead to internal decay. 



Leave the cut surfaces as smooth as possible. If a saw is 

 ever used, the wound should be smoothed with a knife. 



Cut side limbs as close to the main stems as possible. 

 Never leave stubs (Fig. 111). 



Cover the exposed tissues of the larger cut surfaces with 

 paint or grafting wax to prevent weathering and decay. 



Time to Prune. Pruning by pinching off small shoots 

 and disbudding can be practised to very good, advantage in 



FIG. 111. Side limbs should be cut very close to the main stem, so the place may 

 heal over and get "well." A was properly pruned ; B was pruned too far out. 



the summer time (Fig. 112). The main pruning, however, 

 is done in very early spring before the sap begins to flow. 

 Some plants, such as grape vines, will bleed or lose much sap 

 if pruned too late in the spring. 



EXERCISE. Fruit Buds. Twigs bearing both fruit buds 

 and leaf buds may be selected from the different kinds of 

 fruit trees in the neighborhood. Compare these and learn 

 to recognize fruit buds on trees in winter (Fig. 113). 



EXERCISE. Pruning. A small tree or upright branch 

 from the wood-lot may be cut and brought to school. Let 

 pupils first mark with chalk what limbs and twigs should 

 be taken off. Then have the pruning done in accordance 

 with the lesson taught in Fig. 109. Either sharp knives or 

 special pruning shears (Fig. 114) may be used in this exercise. 



