222 



PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



short laterals, there are found to be too many, it will be 

 a simple matter to thin out undesirable growth. 



Tt is customary to try to head peaches as low as pos- 

 sible; to have the first branch to come out very close to 

 the ground and to get the crotches as well spaced as is 

 consistent with the amount of area one can work with. 



FIG. 187— OLD PRUNE TREE AFTER REMOVAI OF DEAD WOOD AND SEVERE 

 THINNING OF THE LIVING SPURS 



