Pruning and Thinning 279 



proof of the fact that this is one of the most important 

 and profitable of all orchard operations. 



For many years the apple-growers in the Wenatchee and 

 Yakima valleys, Washington, have made thinning a gen- 

 eral practice. Cost production studies indicate that the 

 largest yields and greatest profits have been secured from 

 well and carefully thinned orchards. The same may be 

 said for orchards in all other parts of the country where 

 this practice has been given a thorough trial. In the 

 Middle West and East, however, the grower who thins his 

 trees is the exception rather than the rule. The cost, to- 

 gether with a lack of knowledge and appreciation of the 

 great benefits to be obtained from thinning, are the princi- 

 pal reasons which deter most growers from following this 

 practice. Unquestionably it involves considerable ex- 

 pense, particularly with a full bearing orchard in a heavy 

 crop year. A heavy outlay of expense in any single year 

 might be somewhat disappointing. Thinning is an oper- 

 ation incident to the production of high-class fruit. It 

 should not be sporadic, but should be practiced in every 

 heavy crop year. When fairly competent labor may be 

 secured at reasonable rates, it will be profitable. As the 

 competition in the growing of high-class apples becomes 

 greater, thinning will become more and more a general 

 practice in every commercial region in the country. 



In listing the advantages of thinning it is found that it: 

 (1) increases size and quality of fruit; (2) reduces hand- 

 ling costs such as for picking and packing; (3) prevents 

 overbearing and promotes vigor of tree; (4) encourages 

 annual bearing; (5) increases average annual yield; (6) 

 reduces amount of cull and low-grade fruit since inferior, 

 diseased, or worm-eaten apples may be removed; (7) 



