Z/O PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



to spread, contract, raise or lower the top (120d). Since 

 top-worked trees frequently tend to contract, it will 

 oftener be necessary to prune so as to spread the top. In 

 such cases the graft should be cut back to branches 

 pointing in the desired direction. 



Should two cions grow on the same stub, both may 

 be left the first season so as to heal o\-er the stub quickly, 

 but in the spring of the second year the poorer or the one 

 less favorably placed should be cut off close to the stub 

 so as to hasten healing of this wound. When the stubs 

 are larger than 2 inches in diameter, both cions may be 

 allowed to grow during the second year, the removal of 

 the inferior one thus being in the second instead of the 

 first year following the grafting. The case will usually 

 he impro\ ed if the cion to be removed is cut back rather 

 se\-erely so as to check but not entirely stop its develop- 

 ment (compare Fig, 98). When removed the wovmd 

 should be made as small as possible so as to facilitate 

 healing. Ne\'er should both cions be allowed to grow 

 longer than this because they will almost certainly form 

 a bad Y crotch. 



Attention each year after the first should be the same 

 as that given young trees, the eftort being to make well- 

 formed and stocky tops. The small wood may be al- 

 lowed to take care of itself, for some of it may develop 

 into fruit spurs. A few may need to be clipped or re- 

 mo\ed, but it is better to leave them for a few years to 

 see what they will do. Even if they reach diameters of 

 half an inch to an inch, the wounds left when they are 

 remi)\ed will quickly heal if properly made (116, 119, 

 122, 124). 



