ORCHARD MANAGEMENT 



137 



bud, the blade of the pruning shears should be next to the 

 bud, and the bar away from the bud in order to avoid injury 

 to the part of the branch remaining. In the same way, in re- 

 moving a lateral the blade should be next to the branch which 



is to remain, otherwise ragged wounds are left. 



Furthermore, if the hand-shears are not held in 



the position indicated, they will soon be sprung 



and become worthless. In removing side branches, 



care must be taken 



not to leave stubs, 



for these dry out and 



decay, thus afford- FlG ' 94 '~ Pruning saw - 



ing opportunity for the entrance of disease. It 

 FIG. 93. Fold- should be remembered that cutting off a portion of 



a branch retards its growth in length and diameter. 

 In some trees wounds heal rapidly, in others very much 

 more slowly. Wounds are exceedingly 

 slow to heal in the 

 peach, but heal rapid- 

 ly in the apple. It is 

 advisable to paint over 

 all large wounds, es- 

 pecially in trees slow 

 to heal, with a protec- 

 tive mixture heavy 

 enough to hold the 

 moisture within the 

 wound and prevent dry- 

 ing out and checking, 

 and the consequent 

 entrance of disease. 

 White lead paint, 

 asphaltum, and oronite 



. 95.-Prung areU Sed Successfully 



shears, for this purpose. 



Fia. 96. Pruning 

 shears. 



