PRUNING YOUNG TREES 



2:7 



than with the open t}-pe of tree. So it is generally recom- 

 mended that either the open t}'pc or the modified leader 

 be chosen. The)' must remember, however, that manv 

 of the open trees are very easily damaged by blight and 

 are often ruined because the crotches are poorlv formcil 

 (Fig. 1(J4). An elTort should be made to have the branches 

 spaced as far apart as possible, so if a branch is lost from 

 blight, the remainder of 

 the tree may be easily 

 saved. It should always 

 be borne in mind that fire 

 blight works in suc- 

 culent grcjvvth, and that 

 in handling pear trees 

 one should avoid exces- 

 sive wood growth. 



Pears begin their 

 growth earlier in the 

 spring and cease it ear- 

 lier in the summer than 

 do apples. This should 

 be specially borne in 

 mind with young trees, 

 if summer pruning is to 

 be practiced. Some varie- 

 ties of pears, especially 

 Bartlett, have a tendency 

 to form fruit buds and 

 to bear fruit on the ends of the terminals. They will do 

 this often while the trees are still very young, but should 

 be discouraged from bearing in this wa}^. The tendency 

 to bear on such terminals should be overcome by summer 

 pruning. The crooked growth of AA^inter Nelis and Bosc 

 is very troublesome to the beginner in pear growing. 

 Growers should not, however, worrjr too much about the 

 crooked growth, for as the trees become older, they wi'l 

 take care of themselves very largely and this crooked 



i-J-:^. ^.fr 



~~^ FIG. 181 



PLAN OF TREE AT PLANTING TIME 

 Numbers indicate hranclies 



