THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 179 



rovescialo" form of the Italians, is entirely diflerent, because 

 it brings the tree under such a control as is not to be obtained 

 by any other method. It really aims at producing a very low, 

 wide open standard tree, possessing all the merits of an 

 espalier with none of its drawbacks. 



When once the tree has been brought under subjection, every 

 part of it is kept within easy reach of an ordinary man stand- 

 ing on the ground, the structure strong enough to carry a great 

 weight of fruit and capable of standing undisturbed by wind 

 and weather. The fruit is of superior quality, free from culls, 

 the succession of crops regulated, and the fruit-bearing surface 



Lemon orchard of T. F. Jones, at La Mesa, cut back by Mr. Baronio in July, 1S98. 

 Photo taken October 30, 1899. 



can be enlarged and directed at will as the tree acquires age 

 and strength, so that it is a question of laying the foundation 

 for a permanent structure, which may be enlarged for an indefi- 

 nite time. Of course it necessitates an entire reconstruction 

 (unless so raised from the beginning) in order to lay the foun- 

 dation for such a lasting and progressively profitable tree, which 

 cannot be done by a single operation. I have emphatically 

 warned those who may be enticed by some of the half-and-half 

 attempts which have sprung up since as new systems and which 

 find favor in some quarters as a happy compromise on what 

 would seem to be too radical a reform. But these are merely 

 makeshifts or bad imitations likely to lead to temporary 

 encouragement and ultimate disappointment, through lack of 

 knowledge and experience in the proper application of vital 



