PROPER PRUNING 



89 



having these branches cross each other. Cut out all sucker growth 

 in the center, and if two parallel branches are too close together, re- 

 move one. These selected laterals should now be headed back about 

 a third or a half of their growth, leaving them 1 5 or 1 8 inches long. 



Third- and fourth-year prunings. The framework of the young 

 trees should now be well 

 formed and henceforth 

 require less attention. 

 The trees should, how- 

 ever, be moderately 

 pruned each year rather 

 than neglected for sev- 

 eral years and then 

 severely pruned. Less 

 heading back will be 

 necessary each year. 

 Sunshine is essential 

 for the development 

 of the fruit buds and 

 the proper coloring of 

 the fruit. Therefore, all 

 sucker growth in the 

 center of the tree should 

 be removed for the good 

 of the other branches. 

 This growth, situated as 

 it is in the more or less 

 shaded sections of the 

 tree, would not develop 

 fruit spurs to any ex- 

 tent if allowed to remain. 



Trim out all branches that rub together or grow crosswise. 

 Remove one of any two parallel branches which have a tendency 

 to whip together, injuring themselves and their fruit, or which are 

 so crowded that it is desirable to try to grow only one good branch 

 within the space. If the tree is growing too tall and upright the 

 excessive growth may be cut back to lateral branches, causing the 

 tree to assume a more spreading form. 



Fig. 43. An extra fine young tree, well pruned 



