THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 



177 



This may in time need thinning out, but that is an easy 

 matter. 



"This may seem like heroic work, and many dislike to 

 undertake it, though they may be convinced that it will pay 

 in the end. It does not mean the total loss of a year's crop by 

 any means. The yield will not be so large, it is true, but the 

 actual returns may not be far behind. Let me call your atten- 

 tion to the saving that will be effected in the cost of picking. 

 To go into the top of a large tree five or six times a year for a 

 half box of lemons is an expensive business and runs the cost 

 of picking up to almost more than the actual value of the fruit. 

 By this method of 

 pruning, the fruit 

 will be kept within 

 easy reach. 



"To get the best 

 results from this 

 system of pruning 

 the work must be 

 followed up and all 

 useless growth re- 

 moved while the 

 process will shock 

 neither the feelings 

 of the grower nor 

 the sensibilities of 

 the tree. 



"Let me say here 

 that the grove that 



yielded the largest returns in this section seems to me to have 

 been pruned nearly in line with these suggestions. By a com- 

 mon-sense method of pruning, lemon trees are gotten into such 

 shape that the wind causes less damage to fruit and tree, and 

 the branches are not broken if overburdened with fruit. Props 

 and twenty-foot ladders are rendered unnecessary, the cost of 

 picking is reduced from one third to one half, the quality of 

 the fruit is materially improved, the returns are largely aug- 

 mented, and the grower made correspondingly happy." 



A low-pruned tree headed back, and supporting a large 

 quantity of lemons. 



12c 



