104 



rEINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



crate doniiant pruning stimulated a greater growth than any of 

 the summer prunings, and the reduction in vigor was less in the case 

 of early summer pruning than with either repeated summer or mid- 

 summer prunings. 



The foliage is a \ cry good index of the vigor of a tree. A 

 careful study of leaf size, color and numher was made in the Lup- 

 ton and the Grimes Gtilden orchards. In all cases the blocks that 



FIG. 73 



BADI.Y DEVELOPED TREE HEAD. TOO MANY LIMBS CLOSE TOGETHER 



Never allow a tree head to develop in this \^'ay. Such over-crowding can be prevented 



by vorreLt, early pruning'. It is dirticult to remedy later. 



had received summer pruning bore a paler or yellower foliage than 

 those pruned in the dormant season. This difference in color was 

 so distinct that (here could be no mistaking the suiTimer-pruned 

 blocks even at a distance. 



It is clear I from the data secured] that summer pruning caused 

 a great decrease in the size of leaf, number of leaves to the tree 

 and in the total leaf area on the tree. If we further consider that 

 thc-e lca\cs are ilericient in chlorophylh as evidenced by their light 



