198 



PKIiXCIPI.ES AXD PRACTlfE UF I'RUNINC 



111 close proximity to a 

 weak one, the best way 

 to strengthen the weak 

 liranch is by cutting 

 back the strong one. 

 The development of the 

 weak branch will be in 

 proportion to its leaf 

 and Ijranch area; if 

 there is a large amount, 

 there will be a heavy 

 demand on the sap, and 

 the weak branch will 

 de\elop. By limiting 

 the ))ranches and leaves 

 on the strong branch, 

 growth is restricted. 

 As a result, the follow- 

 ing _year there will be 

 less discrepancy be- 

 tween the development 

 of the two branches. A 

 continuation of the 

 practice should lead to 

 a balance between the 

 two. The heading back 

 should be done, then, not so much from the point of view 

 of the tree as a whole, as from the point of view of the 

 relation of one branch to another. 



Cut the strongest branch the hardest: cut the second 

 Ijranch in vigor not quite so much ; the third in vigor still 

 less, until the weakest branch is reached. Then cut that 

 one least. It is only by suppressing the strong branches, 

 limiting the number of leaves and buds, that one can pos- 

 sibly hope to encourage the weaker branches. If it is 

 desired to grow a modified tree, or a leader-type tree, 

 the only difference that need be made in this pruning 



FIG. 162 

 GOOD EFFECT OF JULY PRUNING 

 This vigorous five-year Wa^ener anple tree 

 was pruned in July and photographed in Oc- 

 tober. A vigorous response of new shoots 

 a\eraging a foot followed the triiTiming. 



