XV 

 THE APPLE-TREE REGIONS 



The northern hemisphere is the home of the apple, 

 particularly Central Europe, Canada, the United States. 

 In certain regions in the southern hemisphere the tem- 

 perature and humidity are right for the good growing of 

 apples, mostly in elevated areas. In New Zealand 

 and parts of Australia, apple-growing is assuming large 

 proportions. Their export trade to Europe and parts of 

 South America has come to be important and undoubt- 

 edly is destined greatly to increase. 



In Europe, where land is often limited and high in 

 price, apple-trees may be planted closer than in Amer- 

 ica, even in field conditions, and more attention is given 

 tc pruning, heading-in, and the development of fruit- 

 spurs in the interior of the tree-top. I noticed this prac- 

 tice in New Zealand, also. In these directions, the Euro- 

 peans have much to teach us in the careful growing of 

 good apples. In Europe, the definite training of the 

 apple-tree begins in the nursery; quantity-production, 

 with standardization, is not there the aim. 



In North America the general practice is to let the 

 tree take its course, reaching its full natural stature. The 

 pruning is mostly corrective, to keep the tree in shape 

 and to prevent the top from becoming too thick, rather 



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