198 STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTDRE. 



enlarge upon here, the conclusion that the vigor of the tree 

 depends upon an equal distribution of the flow of sap. Dead 

 wood is the result of loss of sap in either root or limb. Trees 

 left to themselves assume an individuality that is seldom 

 profitable. The wild apple, orange, and lemon are of little value 

 commercially. We must therefore train them along lines of pro- 

 duction. To obtain certain results we must direct the flow of sap 

 in the channels in which we wish it to flow, having a definite 

 purpose in view, otherwise all so-called trimming is simply 

 butchery. The tree must be balanced, therefore arrest growth 

 where there is a superfluity and encourage growth where it is 

 lacking. Trim short when wood growth is desired. Use the 

 biblical injunction, "To him that hath shall be given, and to 

 him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he 

 hath." Cut feeble limbs short and encourage upright growth, 

 because upright growth produces wood. The feeble parts 

 deprived of fruit will produce wood; the strong parts loaded 

 with fruit will produce less wood. Bend the strong parts down, 

 keep the weak erect. The more erect the branches, the greater 

 the flow of sap to the growing parts; hence the feeble parts left 

 erect attract more sap than the strong parts bent down or 

 inclined. Sap acts with more force on a limb pruned short 

 than on a long one. Two buds with the same flow of sap as in 

 twenty buds will be stronger than any of the twenty. Prune 

 short for wood branches, because vigorous shoots produce few 

 fruit buds. Prune long for fruit, as it is the most tender and 

 feeble buds that produce the fruit; bend the limbs at an 

 angle or to a horizontal position to produce fruit buds. Prune 

 short the parts that have overborne; to secure a prolongation, 

 prune to a vigorous wood bud and let nothing interfere. The 

 more the sap is obstructed in its circulation, the more the tree 

 is disposed to produce fruit. The sap traveling slowly is 

 subjected to slower assimilation and is better adapted to the 

 production of fruit. 



To change a fruit branch to a wood branch, give it an upright 

 position; to make a wood branch bear fruit, bend it to nearly a 

 horizontal position. 



Light and air are essential. The rapid growth is toward the 

 source of light. Upward growth gives strength of wood, but 

 less fruit. 



I do not say the horizontal method is the only one, for fruit 



