FRUIT TREES. Chap. IV. 77 



If the tree has produced only three strong branches, e.g. E, D, A or E f D, B, I'll 

 keep only E and D. 



If it's produced Fand G, & strong branches only on one side, e.g. B, D or E, C, A, 

 I cut off the latter & keep only the two small branches F and G, that will strengthen as a 

 result of cutting off the others. 



If it's produced only E and H, or E and A, & if it's a peach or a plum tree whose 

 branches re-grow with difficulty, a branch must be crossed over to the side that hasn't 

 grown one. If possible, this should be the highest branch, so that it's awkward new 

 position prevents it from exploiting its height to gain more strength than the other one. If 

 it's a tree that puts out branches easily, these two branches have to be removed in the 

 hope that two better situated ones will emerge. One of the two branches also could be cut 

 off & another one grafted onto the side of the trunk opposite to the one that's being 

 saved. 



If His the only one that's been produced, it can be saved. But it has to be pinched 

 off at the fourth or fifth leaf to make it put out lateral branches. The trunk of the tree will 

 be several inches higher. This branch must not be pinched off until it's acquired some 

 firmness; because if it's too soft, the part that's retained will extend farther, & the shoots 

 coming out of it will be too far apart from one another. That's why if the tree's branch 

 only has come out late & its shoot can be pinched only close to the time of the second run 

 of sap, it's best to leave it intact until the following February & to prune it at that time to 

 two or four buds depending on the number of branches needed. 



None of these suggestions are of any use for a tree grown on location or in a 

 particular nursery. 



In the end, the important point is that there be two or four strong or weak 

 branches, either way, as long as they're of equal strength & well situated on both sides. 



