210 



THE PEACH ORCHARD 



so easily. They should extend in different directions so as to 

 somewhat balance the tree. 



The annual pruning (Fig. 138) of the peach orchard should in- 

 clude (1) the removal of all branches that are dead or diseased, 

 (2) remove any twigs or shoots or large branches that tend to rub or 

 cross through the head of the tree, (3) trim off twigs bearing mum- 

 mied fruits, (4) trim away any parts that have been broken or 

 injured by wind or otherwise, (5) thin the mainhead if needed to 

 let in more light, (6) cut back the long growths. This may include 



+ *+*•■* + *+ ♦ 



+ •+•+• + •♦ 



+ * + + + + + 4. 4. 



+ •♦* + • + .+ 



+ + + + + + + + + 



Fig. 136. — A plan of planting the orchard using the filler system. Black dots are the per- 

 manent trees; others are temporary. 



the entire removal of some of the long shoots and cutting back 

 one-third or one-half the length of many others. 



Some study should be given to the location of the fruit buds at 

 pruning time. They are located where two or three buds are 

 found together on the twigs. If the fruit buds are numerous more 

 severe cutting back of the new growth is allowable than when the 

 fruit buds are scarce. 



It is well to look over the trees each summer and remove small 

 shoots starting at the base and inside the head where they are not 



