254 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
The trees may be trimmed before they are planted, 
although it is generally better to do it just after 
they are set, especially if the tree is trimmed after 
the method of Fig. 26, for one can then better esti- 
mate the proper height, the operation is easier done, 
and there is no further danger of breaking off the 
limbs by the handling of the tree. One foot is 
planted firmly at the base of the tree, and then with 
one hand the branch to be removed is bent upwards 
and with the other the knife is appled to the under 
side and the cut is made neatly and easily (Fig. 31, 
page 253). Never eut downwards on a limb, for a 
ragged wound nearly always follows. 
In fall-set trees it is generally inadvisable to 
prune them before spring (unless the tops are so 
heavy and the bodies so weak that they are likely 
to be injured by wind), because the eut surfaces 
are likely to dry out. The roots of the tree are 
not yet sufficiently established in the soil to supply 
the added evaporation which takes place from the 
wounds. If it seems to be desirable to trim the 
trees when they are set, they should be eut back 
only part way. They may be eut again, to fresh 
wood, in the spring. 
THE LAYING-OUT OF THE FRUIT PLANTATION. 
It is difficult to make the rows straight in large 
areas, especially on rolling ground. Persons who 
have had areas regularly surveyed with chain and 
compass, and a stake set for every tree, may have 
