Propagation of the Pecan 45 



except three or four of the lower limbs, while those from six 

 inches in diameter upwards should not have more than three- 

 quarters of their tops removed the first year. The mistake 

 is often made of 

 cutting the tops 

 back too severely 

 (See Figs. 5, 6 and 

 7). 



This method has 

 the advantage of 

 furnishing clean 

 vigorous wood in 

 Avhich to insert 

 buds or scions. It 

 has, however, sev- 

 eral disadvantages. 



(1) It often delays 

 results one season. 



(2) It is necessary 

 to rencAV the top 

 twice ; first, when 

 the original top is 

 cut back to secure 

 the shoots in w^hich 

 the buds are in- 

 serted ; afterwards, 

 Avhen these shoots 



Figure 7. — Same as Fig. 5 after top has 

 been renewed at points indicated. 



are cut back in order to force the buds or cions. This often 

 results in greatly weakening the tree as it reduces the foliage 

 to such an extent that assimilation is not sufficient to manu- 

 facture plant-food. (3) The cutting back of the original top, 



