THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 



185 



it growing, and all the fruit compatible with its age and 

 strength. 



{I) Branches should never be so crowded as to preclude the 

 free admission of light and air between them. 



(m) In order that a tree might have the sap evenly distrib- 

 uted, its main branches must be of etjual size and run out at 

 similar angles. 



(7)) A limb which branches off at an acute angle is liable to 

 split at the fork. 



Fig. 1— Baronio uaethod of pruning the lemon. (From a sketch by G. p. Hall, of 



San Diego.) 



(o) A limb which branches off at a blunt angle is not liable 

 to split. 



(p) A limb (like a chain) is no strimoer than its weakest 

 point, and therefore there must be no weak points tibout it. 



{q) The strongest points of a limb must commence at its 

 base. 



(/■) Foundation branches can never lie laiilt too strong. 



(.s) Limbs seldom break down by uiert- weight, but mostly 

 by vibration, whi(;h brings all the strain on the weitkest point 

 at the fork. 



