The Apricot Needs Attention. 205 
PRUNING THE APRICOT. 
Of all California orchard treés, the apricot seems most in 
need of the constant attention of the orchardist to give it proper 
shape and strength. It is a rampant grower, and in,its zealous 
haste for size and fruitage it overreaches itself and becomes the 
prey of specific gravity and wind force. Thousands of trees 
kave been ruined by literally breaking to pieces with the 
weight of their fruit, and being torn by winds of only ordinary 
velocity. Thousands more have been rescued from such a fate 
by bolting the branches to each other. This excessive growth 
and consequent weakness of the apricot is greater in some parts 
of the State than in others, because of the difference in degree 
of forcing conditions, but everywhere the apricot needs watch- 
fulness and timely aid in building up its strength. The general 
principles to be observed in securing branches strongly attached 
to a short trunk have already been discussed at length in the 
chapter on pruning. 
There has been a very marked change during the last few 
years of the pruning of the apricot. Summer pruning, imme- 
diately after the fruit is picked, has become much more general, 
and winter pruning has proportionally decreased. The new 
practise is certainly more rational than the old. Young trees 
are winter pruned to promote low branching and short, stout 
limbs; bearing trees are summer pruned to promote fruit bear- 
ing and check wood growth—the excess of bearing shoots be- 
ing removed by thinning during the winter. 
The apricot tree bears upon old spurs, like the plum; also 
upon the new wood, like the peach. ‘This fact has to be borne 
in mind when winter thinning of the new growth is undertaken. 
A very clear record of procedure by which J. B. Neff, of: 
Anaheim, Orange County, has built up one of the best apricot 
orchards in the State is as follows:— 
Pruning the apricot requires some skill and considerable judgment, 
which can only be formed by experience and observation of the habits of 
the tree. Trees of four to five feet in height are preferable for planting, and 
when planted should be trimmed to a single stem and cut off at eighteen 
inches from the ground. These will throw out shoots vigorously and fre- 
quently two or three shoots from one bud. These shoots should be thinned 
out, leaving not more than four or five, no two of which should come from 
one bud, nor be directly opposite. The first shoot should start twelve 
inches from the ground, the others in such a manner as to divide the space 
and make the branches balance, leaving the top shoot to form the central 
part of the tree. 
It will be necessary to go over the trees several times the first year to 
remove shoots that may start where not wanted, but no general heading 
back should be done, as it tends to dwarf the tree; though if some of the 
limbs are making an overgrowth they should be pinched back to keep the 
head balanced. : 
