Pr-unmg. 263 



(245 b), and the loss to the tree of a small branch, 

 should it occur, is less serious than that of a large one. 

 In forming the head of fruit trees three or four founda- 

 tion branches may be used, but these should by proper 

 pruning be made to develop other smaller ones rela- 

 tively close to the main trunk. Forks in the trunk of 

 fruit trees, dividing the wood into two nearly equal 

 parts are objectionable, since one or the other part is 

 very likely to split down under the weight of a heavy 

 fruit crop. 



Main branches inclined to split down may sometimes 

 be prevented from doing so, by twisting two smaller 

 branches together, to form a connection between them 

 (Fig. 163). The branches thus 

 twisted often grow together, form- 

 ing a tie of great strength. A main 

 branch that has actually com- 

 menced to split down may often 

 be saved by passing an iron bolt 

 through it and the remainder of 

 the trunk. A bolt thus inserted 

 may become entirely inclosed by 

 later growth. 



B — STIMULATIVE PRUNING. 



Fig. 163. Branches 



This depends upon the principle of fruit tree tied to- 



^ i- I' gether by a graft 



that the suppression of growth in formed of twisted 



one direction tends to stimulate it 



in others. Stimulative pruning may be employed either 



to stimulate growth of leaves, branches and roots, or of 



fiower-buds. 



