THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 



181 



it growing, and all tlie fruit conapatible with its age and 

 strength. 



(0 Branches should never be so crowded as to preclude the 

 free admission of light and air between them. 



(m) In order that a tree might have the sap evenly distrib- 

 uted, its main branches must be of equal size and run out at 

 similar angles. 



(n) A limb which branches off at an acute angle is liable to 

 split at the fork. 



Fig. 1 — Baronio mettioci of pruning tlie lemon. (From a sketch by G. P. Hall, of 



San Diego.) 



(o) A limb which branches off at a blunt angle is not liable 

 to split. 



(p) A limb (like a chain) is no stronger than its weakest 

 point, and therefore there must be no weak points about it. 



(q) The strongest points of a limb must commence at its 

 base. 



(r) Foundation branches can never be built too strong. 



(.s) Limbs seldom break down by mere weight, but mostly 

 by vibration, which brings all the strain on the weakest point 

 at the fork. 



