THE LEMON IK CALIFORNIA PRUNIN(i. 191 



course, each tree being a separate proposition in itself, it is 

 needless to say that where there is found already a tolerably 

 good supply of well-placed branches, an opportunity is offered 

 for an almost immediate symmetrical appearance. But this 

 ambition must not be too greatly encouraged to the detriment 

 of solidity, for it is easier and quicker to build a proper branch 

 anew than to patch up an old one. To know what to remove 

 and what to leave is an art to be acquired only by practice. 



OPEN-CENTER PRUNING OF THE LEMON.* 



(Moaitied fr.im the Bardiiici Metliod.) 



In the early days of citrus culture in California nianv lemon- 

 growers did not believe in pruning. At the present time there 

 may be a few who still cling to the idea that nature should be 

 let alone; but nearly all observant growers have been forced, 

 by the logic of facts, to the conclusion that the lemon tree, in 

 all its varieties, needs pruning, more or less severe, to bring 

 about the best results. 



While the untrained tree grows rapidly and produces heavy 

 crops, the fruit runs largely to culls, and often fails to come 

 to a profitable size. The tree, with its great load of fruit grow- 

 ing at the ends of long limbs, is at the mercy of the winds, and 

 is often split and- ruined by the mere weight of its burden. 

 Therefore, it may be true that the lemon tree left to itself will 

 produce heavily, but it is generally recognized that to produce 

 the largest per cent of good-sized and fancy lemons the tree 

 must be intelligently pruned. 



In the method of pruning given in the sketch the main object 

 has been to shorten back and strengthen the scaffold or main 

 limbs, so that they will carry their load nearer the center of 

 the tree and be stocky and stiff enough to withstand strong 

 winds without swaying and bruising the fruit. This method, 

 properly carried out, has produced good results. It has, how- 

 ever caused a tendency in the tree to form too thick and dense 

 a head; a tendency very hard to combat. Even when carefully 

 thinned out, trees shortened back in this way grow faster in 

 their tops than in their lateral branches; on the principle that 

 the sap flows most freely in vertical lines. The result is apt 

 to be a tree high and all top; and this top, while beautiful to 



*B\ C. W. Leffingwell, Jr., Manager .if tlie "Leffiiigwell Orchards," 

 Fullertnii, Ca). 



