THE LEMON IN CALIFORNIA — PRUNING. 195 



can be produced on a tree of different form, but I do say that 

 the principles which I have stated must be followed in order to 

 obtain the best results financially, and also to promote the 

 longevity of the tree. 



My reasons for advocating the horizontal form are that fruit 

 raised on short spurs is less expensive to pick, is of better 

 quality, and the tree relieved of its superfluous wood may 

 develop into a fruit producer instead of being a specimen of 

 growth under the timber culture act. The tree cannot produce 

 an immense amount of wood and bear a large quantity of good 

 fruit at one and the same time. Educate the tree to cease 

 raising suckers, and the height and size of your trees are 

 controlled. 



In cutting back large trees and in retaining all the horizontal 

 limbs, the tree immediately turns its attention toward fruit- 

 fulness, because the sap is directed along fruitful channels 

 instead of being sent toward the sky. By preserving all well- 

 placed limbs a foundation to build on is secured, with some 

 expectation of reaping a reward for labor expended. 



The cost of picking fruit from trees trimmed on the horizon- 

 tal plan, and not more than eight or ten feet in height, is 

 greatly reduced. 



We can but barely hint at the wideness of the application 

 of the principles of the horizontal method, so we simply 

 recapitulate: 



Trees receive their individual form by the natural direction 

 of the sap, therefore direct the sap and you control the tree. 



Most trees send the sap to the top, being drawn thereto by 

 the sun. Change the habit. 



Vigor of the tree depends on equal distribution of the sap, 

 therefore distribute it by judicious trimming. 



Trees left entirely to themselves are seldom profitable. The 

 wild tree must be civilized by grafting or budding, and 

 pruning. 



Trees can be trained to assume at the same time profitable 

 and symmetrical forms. Results come from systematically 

 directing the growing life of the tree. 



The tree must be balanced top and root. Pruning gives 

 activity to root growth. Loss of limbs incites healthy action 

 of the roots. 



