The Thinning of Fruit. A 299 
neglect of the owner. Even with apple trees, the 
orchardist should be able to tell within ten or 
twelve years after they are set whether the trees are 
likely to be profitable or not, and if there are 
strong indications that the varieties are unsuited to 
his needs the sooner they are grafted over the 
better. In grafting over the top of an old apple 
tree, it should be borne in mind that it is at the 
best a harsh operation, and that the top should be 
replaced as quickly as possible. In other words, the 
effort should be made to graft only limbs of com- 
paratively small size (say not more than an ineh 
and a half in diameter, and preferably less), and to 
‘set very many cions, even if some of them need to 
be cut out after two or three years. The setting 
of so many cions is somewhat expensive, but the 
orchardist should be able to do the work himself. 
Finally, it should not be expected that an old tree 
which is remodeled by top-grafting shall be of as 
good and handy shape as one which has been grown 
right from the start. (See Figs. 127, 128, 129, 
“The Nursery-Book,” third ed.) 
Thinning the fruit.—The thinning of fruit for the 
purpose of improving that which remains is a prac- 
tice which is always advised, but comparatively sel- 
dom followed. It has been demonstrated time and 
time again that no work in connection with a fruit 
plantation pays better than this thinning. It not 
only results in a much finer product, but it is also 
a means of destroying the insect-infested and dis- 
eased specimens, and of saving the energies and vi- 
