106 



Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



FIG. 29. Two-year- 

 old Peach Tree 

 well Pruned. 



properly pruned as a yearling will be in the top of the 

 tree. Figure 27 shows the style of pruning that must be 

 adopted to leave even a few of these 

 buds. With such pruning it is impos- 

 sible to grow a well-shaped peach tree. 

 The result of such practice is well 

 illustrated in Figure 28, which shows 

 the same tree after one year's growth. 

 Note the tall, "leggy" tree with very 

 little spread. While the tree may not 

 have been an ideal two-year-old, there 

 is no excuse for growing it into such an ill-shaped three- 

 year-old. Figure 29 shows a two-year-old tree pruned for 

 shape rather than fruit, 

 while Figure 30 shows 

 the same tree before 

 pruning, and Figure 31 

 after one season's 

 growth. Before prun- 

 ing, this two-year-old 

 stood 5 feet high, after 

 pruning 30 inches, and 

 at the end of the third 

 season it stands 6 feet 

 in height. Compare 



this broad, Well-formed FlG - 30. Same as 29 before Pruning. 



top with the one pruned for fruit. Had it not been for 

 severe injury from attacks of twig borers, this tree would 

 have made a much better top; the figure shows many dead 

 stubs, and a close examination will show that the upper 

 arm, as shown in the center and to the back of Figure 29, 



