97 



the bough. One needs, however, to know 

 or study the habit of the variety of apple 

 as to where it forms its flower buds to 

 avoid cutting them off, as close spur 

 pruning is not suited to all varieties. 



Bush Apple and Peak trees thrive well 

 when moderately spur-pruned and the 

 leaders shortened, whereby beautifully- 

 shaped trees are obtained which bear fruit 

 in perfection if the other n6ces.sary con- 

 ditions suit the trees, remembering, how- 

 ever, that trees of different variety, like 

 with human beings, have individual 

 characters, which need to be studied in 

 order to ofctain the best results; thus 

 some varieties of apple produce their fruit 

 buds at the extr.emity of the twigs, so that 

 if these are cut off the possibility of fruit 

 is gone. 



Now for a few ideals to aim at in 

 pruning : -— 



Every cut should be made with a 

 reason, and points such as pruning to an 

 outward pointing bud should be kept in 

 mind; each tree should be pruned 

 annually, so that it may be seldom neces- 

 sar.y to remove large limbs. 



Although pruning may be done through- 



out the winter, probably the best time is 

 in autumn, just after the leaves have 

 begun to fall. Light pruning may be done 

 at any time during the summer (end of 

 June or July). 



Trees making very little wood need 

 manuring or better cultivation. 



If a limb has to be cut off, saw it off close 

 to the trunk or main branches, so that the 

 wound may heal readily, as if a stub is 

 left, decay is apt to set in, due to fungus 

 or insect attack. The object of an 

 orchard may well be borne in mind : to 

 produce the largest quantity of best 

 quality fruit at least cost, human labour 

 being reasonably paid. 



Sunshine has a wonderful influence on 

 the formation of fruit buds, as well as 

 on the colour of the fruit. Trees or 

 branches in shade will not fruit as well 

 as those that are in sunlight. 



Pruning needs common-sense, care and 

 patience. Proper pruning means economy 

 of spraying materials. 



A good example of pruning instruments 

 as used by Mr. Wolfram Dannreuther, 

 F.E.H.S., on his fruit farm at Battle, Sus- 

 sex, is given below. 



Pruning and Planting Implements. 



