140 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



232. Thinning the fruit. When fruit-trees are allowed to 

 bear too heavily, the fruits do not reach the proper size, and 

 the value of the crop is lessened. Thinning of the fruit by 

 hand is resorted to with plums, peaches, apples, and the like. 

 Thinning should be done while the fruit is small, before it 

 has had a chance to draw heavily on the tree for food and 

 moisture supply. 



233. The personal factor. The success of orcharding 

 depends largely on the personal interest of the owner. If he 

 is willing to give his individual time and attention to the 

 management of the orchard, rather than leave the matter 

 to tenants, and has selected a suitable locality, his success 

 is reasonably certain. 



EXERCISES 



EXERCISE I. Laying out and staking an orchard. 



Materials. Stakes sharpened at one end; surveyor's chain, or wire, 

 steel- tape or other tape measure; mallet for -driving stakes. 



Procedure. Upon a vacant piece of ground lay out and stake 

 orchards according to the three methods mentioned in this chapter. 

 (Several students should work together.) 



EXERCISE II. Planting trees. 



Materials. Young trees for planting; planting-board; stakes; 

 mallet; shovel or spade; tub of water in which to keep the roots of 

 the trees moist until they are planted. 



Procedure. Prune the roots. Then plant the trees carefully 

 following the essentials for success mentioned in the text. After the 

 trees are set out, prune the tops in the manner suggested in the text. 



EXERCISE III. Observation of orchards in the locality. 



Procedure. 1. Study different planting systems in your locality. 

 How far are the trees apart? Are they far enough apart? 2. Notice 

 good and poor orchards in your locality. State in what respects each 

 of the following are responsible for the condition of the orchards 

 examined: (a) climate, (b) location, (c) soils, (d) care. 



EXERCISE IV. Pruning studies and pruning Of bearing trees. 

 Materials. Pruning-shears, and saw; fruit-trees for the student to 

 study and prune. 



