80 THE AMERICAN APPLE ORCHARD 



tree trunks are liable, such as attacks of borers, 

 frost cracks, etc., are more frequent on long trunks 

 than on short ones. 



It is much easier to pick fruit from a low tree than 

 from a tall one. The expense of operating such an 

 orchard is less. This difference is proportionately 

 greater with peach trees, plums and other small trees 

 than with apples. Nevertheless it amounts to some- 

 thing even in the case of old apple orchards. Low- 

 headed trees are much easier to spray. It is almost 

 laughable to see some of the high tower sprayers used 

 in old orchards. There are apple trees doing business 

 in this part of the country which are tall enough for 

 forest trees. Such apple trees are always objection- 

 able. There are many ways of preventing the forma- 

 tion of such high heads, and a shortening of the trunk 

 is only one of them. In fact it is perhaps a minor 

 means when considered in the long run, but it is a 

 method which should not be overlooked. 



Without saying, therefore, whether trees should be 

 headed 2 feet from the ground or 8, we may lay it 

 down as a general principle, strongly supported by 

 the best modern experience, and exemplified in the best 

 modern practice, that low-headed trees are to be pre- 

 ferred to high heads, 



THE FRAMEWORK 



The most critical work in pruning is that connected 

 with the formation of the head during the first three 

 years of growth in the orchard. It is everywhere 

 known to be important that the formation of weak 

 crotches should be avoided, but just how this is to be 

 done is by no means so clear. Some varieties, as King 



