Pruning and Thinning 269 



secondary laterals should be developed on the main scaffold 

 branches at a distance not closer than one foot or greater 

 than 20 inches from the trunk. When the scaffold limbs 

 make slow growth, it may be necessary to delay the develop- 

 ment of secondary branches by cutting back the scaffold 

 limbs to two or three buds. 



After second season. 



Heading back should be less severe after the second sea- 

 son's growth. Some recommend leaving about 20 inches 

 new growth on the leader and about 15 inches on the scaf- 

 fold branches. Others think that very little heading back 

 should be done after this time regardless of the amount of 

 growth. There is a growing sentiment that trees should be 

 headed back very little after the second or third year. It 

 is of course necessary to check wayward and crossing 

 branches. Furthermore when growth is vigorous, heading 

 back may be necessary in order to encourage stockiness. 

 If long rangy growths are left, they will not be strong 

 enough to carry heavy loads of fruit in later years. Dur- 

 ing the first two or three years, certain of the main branches 

 may outgrow the others, in which case the stronger grow- 

 ing ones should be headed back more severely than the 

 weaker growing ones. 



After third season. 



The main laterals may be cut back lightly to about the 

 same length, slight predominance being given to the leader 

 if it is retained. When the modified leader type is 

 being followed, the third year may see the development 

 of a sufficient number of scaffold branches, If not ? the 



