Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 2 1 9 



moved for years, and has grown to look more 

 like a living brushheap than a fruit tree, we 

 shall have to exercise judgment or the work 

 will be overdone. The changes to be made 

 should be brought about gradually. Take out 

 a limb on this side, and another in some other 

 part of the tree, choosing, if possible, those 

 which are interfering the most with the re- 

 mainder of the tree. The next year the work 

 may be followed up and other limbs removed. 

 After removal of large limbs from an old 

 apple tree, we find their place is often filled 

 with water sprouts. How many ever stop to 

 think why these sprouts make their appearance? 

 It should be remembered that the trunk and 

 branches have been shaded for years, and when 

 we cut away these limbs and let the sun in on 

 the body, the tree at once attempts to shade or 

 protect itself by throwing out these growths. 

 This same thing may occur when trees are 

 heavily loaded and the branches bend down so 

 that the sun shines directly on the bare por- 

 tions of either body or branch. Then we 

 should not forget that these water sprouts have 

 a purpose, and will perform a work if allowed 

 to. If these are all removed others will make 

 their appearance, and it is well that they are 

 persistent, for it is upon them we must depend 



