200 



I'iaNCirLF.S AND PRACTICE ri|- PRUNING 



will break easily, as the stress and strain all come at 

 critical points ; namely, at the numerous balanced crotches 

 To avoid this condition, treat each of the main branches 

 as a leader. This means that when two branches are 

 chosen, the}' shall be as far apart as possible. Second, 

 in pruning cut une harder than the other. Thus one 

 will become a leader and the other a side branch. If this 



process is continued, 

 the whole branch will 

 become a strong leader 

 with a great many side 

 In-anches which dis- 

 tribute the strain in 

 such a way as to reduce 

 breakage to a mini- 

 nuim. 



164. Classes of non- 

 bearing trees. — For 

 convenience of discus- 

 sion, young and non- 

 bearing trees may be 

 di\'ided into three 

 classes. First, those 

 from one to four years 

 of age. This is the 

 formative, the body- 

 building period of the 

 A'oung tree. Second, 

 the period from four to 

 seven years of age, the 

 critical age, a transition period from the body build- 

 ing on the one hand to the hea\'y fruiting on the 

 other. With Yellow Newtown, Baldwin, W'inter Nelis, 

 Cornice and many other trees, pruning at this time will, 

 to a very large degree, determine the fruitfulness of the 

 trees for a number of years. Third, those trees from 

 seven to twelve vears, wdiich have reached the bearing age. 



FIG. 164 

 BALANCED AND UNBALANCED PRUNING 

 Note that at A A, equal cutting has resulted 

 in nearly equal strength of branches; at B B, 

 unequal cutting (the desirab'e me'hod) his 

 resulted in completely destroying such bal- 

 ance by making stronger crotches. 



