264 The Commercial Apple Industry 



scaffold branches are weakened at the crotches and further 

 breaking usually follows. 



4. If one main branch splits off, the balance of the tree is 

 permanently injured. 



5. The amount of bearing wood is limited. 



The double-headed type. < 



In this type of leader tree, developed in New York and 

 West Virginia and in use there, two whorls of main 

 branches or scaffolds are used and the framework is formed 

 by six or eight branches arranged along two or three feet of 

 a strong central stem. If a one-year-old whip is planted, 

 the heading is done at about 24 to 36 inches, which leaves 

 the lowest scaffold branch about 20 to 30 inches from the 

 ground. After the first year's growth and before growth 

 starts the following spring, three or at most four well dis- 

 tributed branches are selected and all others removed. 

 The remaining branches excepting the leader are headed 

 back to 14 to 16 inches in length. The leader or upright 

 branch is left with 16 to 18 inches of new growth. 



After the second season's growth has been made, two 

 secondary branches are selected on each primary branch 

 except the leader and the others are removed. These 

 secondary branches are then headed back to 18 or^ 20 

 inches in length. Long willowy branches are headed back 

 even more severely. The second year's growth on the 

 leader is removed with the exception of the most upright 

 development and any short spurs. About 16 to 18 inches 

 of the new growth of the leader is left. This leaves the 

 leader extending 2,y 2 to 3 feet above the first scaffold. 



After the third season's growth, the lateral main 

 branches and their secondary growth are handled in a 



