THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 



187 



course, each tree being a separate proposition in itself, it is 

 needless to say that where there is found already a tolerably 

 good supply of well-placed branches, an opportunity is offered 

 for an almost immediate symmetrical appearance. But this 

 ambition must not be too greatly encouraged to the detriment 

 of solidity, for it is easier and quicker to build a proper branch 

 anew than to patch up an old one. To know what to remove 

 and what to leave is an art to be acquired only by practice. 



OPEN-CENTER PRUNING OF THE LEMON.* 



(Modified from the Baronio Method.) 



Skeleton sketch of a cross-section of an open-center tree. Hair lines 

 indicate where to cut limbs. 



In the early days of citrus culture in California many lemon- 

 growers did not believe in pruning. At the present time there 

 may be a few who still cling to the idea that nature should be 

 let alone; but nearly all observant growers have been forced, 

 by the logic of facts, to the conclusion that the lemon tree, in 

 all its varieties, needs pruning, more or less severe, to bring 

 about the best results. 



While the untrained tree grows rapidly and produces heavy 

 *By C. W. Leffingwell, Jr., Manager of the " Leffingwell Orchards," 

 Fullerton, Cal. 



