35 FIELD NOTES ON APPLE CULTURE, 
In other words, I should remove every limb which 
ought to be removed, large or small. But it is a sign 
of a good orchardist if the unnecessary large branches 
are few or none. 
FORMS OF TREES. 
The idea is still current, as a result of old teachings, 
that some form of top for all the trees of an orchard 
must be decided upon before one enters upon the import- 
ant duties of pruning and training. This shape, to 
which everything must be made to conform, may be the 
“hollow top,” the ‘‘ umbrella shaped,” the conical, or 
the broad and flat headed. Whatever this uniform shape 
may be, it is at variance with nature, and does not rec- 
ognize the peculiar and distinguishing forms of different 
varieties. It is by no means necessary that all the trees 
of an orchard should be trimmed into one form. « A vari- 
ety in the forms will heighten rather than decrease the 
beauty of an orchard. But an orchard is not supposed 
to be trained for beauty. The training must have for its 
object the production of more and better fruit, and the 
prolonging of the life of the tree. The best rule for 
shaping a tree—if a general direction may be called a 
rule—might be worded something like this: Let-the 
top take its natural shape, keep it symmetrical, and cut 
out all interfering limbs. The Rhode Island Greening 
should be allowed to make its natural broad and flat 
head ; in fact, it cannot well be made to take any other 
form. The strict and conical head of the Northern Spy 
should’ not be malformed. Under a proper and careful 
thinning out of some of the minor branches each year, 
