THINNING 59 
trees. In large orchards, and for applying spray for 
codling moth, it is necessary or desirable to use some 
form of force-pump, driven generally by a gasolene engine. 
Tarnning.—In British Columbia orchards this is almost 
invariably a necessary operation. The first thinning should 
be done in June. In years of good crops a second thin- 
ning will have to be done in July, and maybe a third in 
August. At the first thinning take off all badly shaped 
and all faulty fruit, and do not leave three apples any- 
where that hang in one cluster. Leave at most two, 
though one of these may have to be taken off at the second 
thinning. When the work is finally completed the 
separate apples should, on reaching full size, each hang 
1 or 2 inches distant from its nearest neighbours on each 
side of it. But if the tree is carrying only a light load, 
two apples may be left on the same branch, provided each 
has plenty of room to develop to full size uninjured by 
the other. Judicious thinning will not diminish the total 
weight of the crop at the time of gathering the fruit, 
but, on the contrary, tends to increase its weight. It 
has the great advantage of leaving fruit of a more 
uniform size, and larger, and with a much smaller 
percentage of faulty apples. In those cases where the 
middle one of the three apples which grow nearest the tip 
of a branch presents a different appearance from its two 
companions, as in McIntosh Red, it is, as a general rule, 
this middle apple which will give the typical shape for the 
variety. But do not hesitate to take it off if it already 
shows any defect. 
