Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands 223 



Pruning to Form the Head of the Tree. 



—When we begin to study pruning in relation 

 to forming the heads of our trees we shall find 

 many things to consider. The length of the 

 trunk, or where the lowest branches are allowed 

 to form, should first claim our attention. It is 

 while the tree is young that this should be de- 

 cided, as it is impossible to shorten the trunks 

 of old trees, limbs might be shortened or 

 headed in, but the length of body will remain 

 the same. At the same time we should choose 

 the form of head desired, whether it be vase- 

 shaped — that is, only having one set of limbs, 

 and they starting from close together — or shall 

 we build a top on a central stem, with the 

 limbs distributed over a considerable portion of 

 its length. Or is our ideal still another form 

 of head, one with two or three stories — or sets 

 of limbs — some distance apart on the main 

 stem or trunk, each set forming a complete 

 circle in the top of the tree, while from the 

 center of the last story stands the central stem 

 or leader. Whatever form of top or head we 

 decide upon we should have it in mind at all 

 times while pruning. If possible we should be 

 able to see how this branch will look a year 

 from now, after the new growth is formed, if 

 this or that cut should be made. 



