THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 



183 



better structure is brought into existence. First of all, by the 

 removal of the great leverage which the high top exercised on 

 the root, this at once gets a chance to obtain a firmer hold of 

 the ground; the tree puts forth a new eftbrt, and by a much 

 more vigorous growth and healthier foliage, which act as new 

 lungs to it, a correspondingly increased activity goes on under 

 ground, forcing the formation of fresh rootlets, the trunk begins 

 to thicken in proportion, and so an altogether more satisfactory 

 condition of things is established. The great necessity for a 

 good and strong constitution is a proportionately large stem 

 from the base up, since a tree, like a man, of a strong consti- 

 tution can stand more than a cripple. Now, fixing our attention 



Tig. 3— Baronio method of pruning the lemon. (From a sketch by G, P. Hall, 

 of San Diego.) 



on Fig. 1, according to my plan the tree is branched too high, for I 

 consider sixteen inches the best height, and if more it should not 

 exceed two feet; it will therefore be noticed that on the stem about 

 a foot below the first branch two suckers are already started, the 

 intention being to let them run straight up, like the one shown 

 in Fig: 2, then arch them over as seen in Fig. 3. Observe how 

 the two suckers have been intentionally selected not to be 

 exactly opposite, one about four inches below the other, this 

 being essential to form strong, independent branches. It would 

 require a great number of diagrams and a too lengthy 

 description to attempt an explanation of the process whereby 

 the perfect conditions of principle are secured. How weak 



