142 



PRINCll'LES AND rKAC'TICE OF I'KUNING 



growing on the inner side of 

 tlic arm; that is, each 1>rancii 

 slioulfl grow toward the rjp- 

 posite arm and at approximately 

 the same distance i'rom the 

 acute angle of the Y, say, 2 to 

 4 or f) feet. Each Ijranch shoulr, 

 Ix^ long enough to extend a foot 

 or more Ijeyond the arm on the 

 opposite side. It will also be 

 an aid if the arms (if the Y are 

 drawn somewhat closer to- 

 gether fan inch or two) than 

 they normally stand, and kept 

 in this i:)osition for two or more 

 years — until the branches have 

 grown together. 



The principle upon wdiich 

 this method is based is that the 

 intertwined branches will rmite 

 by natural gr.iftage. As soon as the graft union is com- 

 plete the tips of the branches may be shortened little by 

 little annually and finally cut off close to the arms of 

 the Y. It is advisable to leave as 

 many leafy twigs as possible on the 

 intertwined branches, but to re- 

 move these little by little in spring, 

 beginning Vi^ith the largest, as the 

 union of the two branches becomes 

 stronger. The finished brace will 

 mr)re or less resemble the one 

 shown in Figure 104. 



Wdien only one branch can be 

 secured to form the brace, it may 

 be grafted to the o])posite arm. The 

 branch selected should be well 

 ri'jcned when used. This crafting 



FIG. 100— TRIPFE Y-CROTCH 

 This badly neglected tree is 

 triply weak because of the three 

 Y-crotches. It is doomed. Se\'eral 

 large branches have been cut off. 

 Two scars show. 



FIG. 101 

 SAVING A Y-CROTCH 

 Pine 2 X 4-)nch scantling 

 \y\ih telegraph wire is here 

 used. Tills is belter than 

 wire aione, but is not very 

 elfective because there is too 

 much "gi\'e." The limbs 

 should be bolted together 

 higher up. 



