124 



tree will carry all the fruit it ia possible to obtaia without crowding it too closely 

 for the laterals to nourish ; therefore retain all the new wood on the old limbs 

 possible, provided it is not too cro^wded, in which case shorten some back to ^ive 

 fresh growth for the following season. 



The leaders should be pruned fairly long, from eigliteen inches to two feet 

 being loft, according to the growth the tree has made. Figure 153 illustrates this 

 tree correctly pruned, while Figure I.53a illustrates a tree 12 months after heading 

 back in blossom. A glance at this tree will show how profuse the fruiting wood is 

 and Ikjw little time is lost before a heavy crop is again obtained. Figiire 154 shows 

 a tree two years after heading back pruned and in full bearing again. This tree 

 will lie productive for many years to coine and will well repay the loss of one year 

 caused Ijy cutting Ijack. When renovating trees they should always be lieaviljr 



Kig. 151. 

 Old Peach lieailed hack. 



manured with highly nitrogenous manure and green crops should be turned \mder, 

 for if the tree is not stimulated the growth will be weak. 



Trees wliich have been split in half can often be made good Vjy heading back 

 and by twisting stout fencing wire round the trunks, drawing the split clo.se together ; 

 but first wrap a piece of sacking round the trunk to prevent the wire when tight 

 from damaging the bark. , The main limbs should also be held firmly in place by 

 placing a k)0]i of strong wire round the limb on either side of the tree, using sacking 

 as before, and twitching the wire tight with the aid of a stick. This prevents the 

 winds from moving the join below which, if the bark is not too damaged, will heal 

 up and grow together again. The wires should be watched and removed .should 

 the tree till out, and new ones placed on, otherwise the tree will be strangled. 



Trees wliich have been split can also be secured by placing a strong bolt 

 ttirough the trunk. 



