19 

 the most serious result is an indirect effect of the death 



of the lower limbs. Trees are left until the large lov/er limbs 



die for want of light. They are then removed and the wounds are 



too large to heal. In time they cause the trunk to decay. 



The evident remedy for this state of affairs is to thin 

 out the trees. If the trees are planted in squares, the best 

 way to thin is to cut out every other tree in each row. This is 

 done by cutting out every other row diagonally. It leaves the 

 trees in squares corner wise of the field. (See accompanying 

 figure) It is interesting to note v/hat removing -J- of the trees 

 would mean. Some persons think that in doing so in an orchard 

 that is planted 25X25 it would leave the trees in squares 50X50. 

 As a matter of fact they would be in squares 35.3X35,3 when 

 viewed from the corners of the field. If they were 30X30 and 

 ^ were removed, the remainder would stand 42.4 X 42.4. If 

 33X33 and -g- were removed, they would be 46.7 X46.7. None 

 of these distances are too large for large, mature trees. If 

 35X35 and -g removed the remainder would stand 49.5x49.5 or 

 approximately 50x50. Large Baldwin trees can make good use 

 of this much space. 



One of the problems to be met in thining is that, if every 

 other tree is removed regularly there will be some places v/here 

 the tree to be cut out is better than the one to be left; or it 

 may occur that the one to be left may be missing, T! ill it 

 pay to leave a tree that would other wise be removed, if it 

 comes next to a vacant place? This question must be answered as 

 each case arises, but it is well to remember that if the tree is 

 left, it will daraage one side of three other trees. Before cut- 

 t.ine- out the trees, it will pay to make a map of the orchard and 



