APPLES 275 
pruning of apples, peaches and pears, be- 
cause these trees are by nature differ- 
ently formed, but with these differences 
in mind we give a few general rules. It 
is understood that these rules are made 
to be followed when they’ seem best 
adapted to the circumstances, but made to 
be broken when the nature of. the condi- 
tions seem to require. 
Fig. 3. A Convenient Dise Cultivator, capable 
of being extended for cultivation under low 
trees. 
Rules for Pruning 
First. We remove certain branches in 
order that the plant food gathered by 
the roots may be used to support the re- 
maining branches and _ stimulate more 
vigorous growth. If the tree is not grow- 
ing rapidly enough, this is very important, 
ode 
are 
Fig. 4. <A Beautiful Illustration of Symmetry 
and Regularity in an Orchard. Seen from a 
distance the tops of these trees are as level 
as the pruning line seen in the picture. How- 
ever, the trees are headed too high both for 
the vigor of the trees and for convenience 
and economy in spraying and in harvesting 
the crop. 
but on a tree where there is a heavy 
wood growth this is not needed and may 
be an injury in preventing the forming of 
fruit spurs. 
Second. We remove a branch when it 
interferes with the growth of another 
that we consider of greater importance 
than the branch to be removed. 
Third. We remove a branch when it 
grows in a direction to give the tree an 
undesirable shape. Usually in the North- 
west we prefer the open top and spread- 
ing branches in order to let in the sun- 
shine to color the fruit. | 
Fourth. We remove a branch when its 
weight tends to pull the top in an unde- 
etfsees y= 
A Well Shaped Tree. 
—After Brackett 
Fig. 5. 
sirable direction. The heaviest and long- 
est branches should be left on the side 
of the tree from which come the prevail- 
ing winds. If this is not done, the tree 
will lean, and when it is heavily loaded 
with fruit the average weight will be 
far enough from the center to uproot it 
or break it, or in some other way injure 
it, 
Fifth. We remove a’branch when it is 
diseased. We do this not only because 
it is useless, but because the diseased part 
may also injure the healthy parts. 
Sixth. Summer pruning is resorted to, 
generally, in order to produce fruit spurs. 
In young trees from one to five years of 
age Summer pruning is a method of caus- 
ing the trees to put out extra branches 
