ing, yet it is possible to have this very excellent variety bearing 

 freely in seven or eight years from the time of planting. 



Allow practically all of the wood to grow, up to five years, 

 then begin gradually to take out entire branches so as to give 

 the right form. Fruit spurs will begin to form, but a few 

 specimens only of fruit should be allowed to remain and mature 

 during the first two or three years. 



Each year more fruit spurs will come out, when the trees 

 will begin to steadily increase in bearing tendency and capacity. 

 Removing wood in annual pruning stimulates an excessive 

 growth which retards the bearing period. 



Under this system of light pruning during the first five years 

 after planting, the writer has taken nine bushel-boxes or three 

 full-barrels of apples from individual trees, in the seventh year. 



For economy of operating, in spraying, thinning and picking 

 the fruit, low trees are better than high ones. The leaders 

 should be cut back once in two or three years to prevent the 

 trees from growing too high. Give an outward form to the 

 tree rather than too much of the upward. 



Prune the lower branches to give them an upward growth — 

 prune back their ends and cut off all branches that incline to 

 grow downward from the under side of the lower branches. 

 This will give strength to the low branches near the body of the 

 tree and help to keep them up from the ground. 



Under this system of pruning, there is no more difficulty in 

 cultivating low headed trees than in those started with high 

 heads, for the branches hold up well and are made strong and 

 heavy, close to the body of the tree. In pruning, a fine narrow 

 saw should be used, one that will make a smooth cut. Prune 

 close to the main branch. Do not leave stubs one or two inches 

 long. They will not heal and are attacked by bacteria which 

 produce disease, making short lived trees. Paint every wound 

 that is over one-half an inch in diameter. Any kind of paint will 

 answer, although disinfecting paints may now be procured. 



After the trees come into free bearing not much pruning 

 will be required, as growth of wood will be checked, and 

 branches will then be carried outward and downward by the 

 weight of the apples, where the sun will reach all parts of the 

 tree and give the fruit good color. 



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