318 INTRODUCTION TO BOTANY 
Pruning has been found to increase both the quality and the 
quantity of fruit. Sometimes it is done solely for increase in 
quality, as when all but one or two buds of a chrysanthemum 
or tomato are removed, so that all the strength of the plant 
is thrown into the development of one or two specimens of 
great size and beauty. In fruit orchards it has been found 
that the removal of the old or surplus branches stimulates the 
production of flowers 
} and fruit. There are 
ji many orchards of good 
vigorous trees which 
might be made produc- 
tive simply by pruning 
(see figs. 236 and 237). 
Pruning properly done 
not only stimulates the 
production of fruit but 
also helps to keep the 
tree in such form that 
the load of fruit will 
be supported and easily 
gathered when mature. 
In pruning dead and 
J living branches care 
Fic, 257. A well-pruned peach tree just should be taken to pre- 
past the flowering period vent the entrance of 
Photograph by the Michigan Development organisms that induce 
Company § 
decay. A coating of 
paint or of tar upon the fresh wound usually prevents infec- 
tion, but old wounds need to be cleaned out, sterilized, and 
filled with cement. 
Spraying to remove or prevent disease is an important 
branch of horticulture; fruit and berry plants are subject to 
an increasing number of diseases, both plant and animal in 
their nature. The subject of sprays and spraying is too exten- 
sive for discussion here. It must be remembered, however, 
