PRACTICAL GARDENING 



such a way that they bloom about the same 

 time, which simplifies the practice of spraying. 

 Also study the flowers to see whether they are 

 self-fertile or self -sterile. Pollination is im- 

 portant in crop production. 



Pruning. The apple should be primed be- 

 fore the buds start. Remove all water sprouts 

 (young, straight shoots growing from the 

 branches) . Remove all suckers (shoots grow- 

 ing from below the surface of the ground). 

 Prune so as to prevent the crossing of limbs. 

 Remove dead wood and sufficient branches to 

 allow a free circulation of air. Do not over- 

 prune. If the trees have been neglected in the 

 past, take three or four years to shape them. 

 Smooth the wounded edge of large limbs with 

 a sharp knife so as to aid the healing over by 

 the growing tissue (cambium layer). Do not 

 cut the edges on an angle. Have all pruning 

 tools sharp. The peach and cherry do not re- 

 quire much pruning after they come into bear- 

 ing. Remove all dead branches. If a peach 

 tree is inclined to have a bad attack of the yel- 



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