228 



I'KINCirLES AND I'RAC'IICE OF PRUNING 



The loss of sii many trees in the -^ji-inch grade seriously affects the 

 nuniher to lie averaged as to total growth. The dried-out trees made 

 hardly more than a third of the growth that the stored trees did. 



The best average total growth among the dried-out trees was 

 made by the 54-ineh grade. A comparison on the basis of pruning 

 treatment regardless of grade shows the following: The unpruned 

 trees made the poorest average growth ; the 36-inch treatment re- 

 sulted in the next poorest growth; the 30-inch treatment resulted 

 in the liest gri>\vth; the 24-inch treatment resulted in the next best 

 growth. It was to be expected that the unpruned trees of this lot 

 would make the poorest growth, and one might expect that the more 

 severe the :)runing the better the growth. This is true to a certain 

 degree, but it does not follow in regular proportion to the seventy 

 of the pruning. Another factor appears to enter into the case. 



182. Studies with freshly dug nursery trees.— The following sprinij 

 trees of the Belle of Georgia variety were secured freshly dug frum 

 a local nursery and im- 

 mediately planted. The same 

 grades and pruning treat- 

 ments were used as in the 

 former tests. Two trees out 

 of 140 in the 36-inch treat- 

 ment died. One was of Vx- 

 inch caliper and the other 

 J^-inch caliper. The results 

 of this test in terms of twig 

 growth show that the larger 

 the grade the poorer the 

 growth of unpruned, freshly 

 dug trees. The smaller the 

 grade the better is the 

 growth of 6-inch pruned 

 trees. Or expressed in 

 other words, the larger the 

 trees the more they are de- 

 pressed in growth by a fi- 

 inch stub pruning treatment. 

 183. Distribution and size 

 of branches. — A free, vigor- 

 ous growth is desired the 

 first season the trees are 

 set, but mere volume of 

 growth is not the only con- 

 sideration in a commercial 

 fruit planting. The form 

 and character of growth as 

 related to successful support of a heavy crop of fruit later and to 

 the econonu'cal care and m.anagement of the trees are of much con- 

 sequence. In onler to determine and show the effect of prunmg 



FIG. 194 

 WELL PRUNED AND OPEN HEADED 

 Such a tree facilitates sprayint^, thinning 

 and harvestintc and produces large crops ol 

 better Fruit than does a neglected tree. Com- 

 pare with FIk- 314. 



