APPLES 
Fig. 1. In heading back upright branches, the 
cut should be made just beyond a branch 
extending outward, as shown in this picture. 
The fruit spurs along the main branches 
should not be removed as has been done in 
this case. 
either be removed or cut back. By pinch- 
ing back these shoots in early June, they 
often may be converted into fruit spurs. 
The fruit spurs along the main branches 
should not be removed, as is so often 
done. Some growers do not believe a 
tree .is properly pruned unless the main 
arms are as bare as telephone poles. 
Many growers make the serious mistake 
also of cutting off the lower branches be- 
cause they interfere with the work of cul- 
tivation. These are often the most prof- 
itable branches on the tree, for the rea- 
son that the fruit they bear can be -so 
quickly and conveniently harvested. 
Making the Cut 
Much may be done in the way of di- 
recting the growth of the branches of a 
tree by giving some attention .to the po- 
sition of each cut. If it is desired to give 
a particular branch an outward or a 
spreading tendency it should be cut off at 
a point just beyond a bud or a side 
branch that points in that direction. In 
like manner the growth of a spreading 
291 
branch may be directed upward by cut- 
ting back to a bud or side branch that 
points upward or inward. (See Fig. 1.) 
The wound on a branch that has been 
cut back close to a/side branch is likely 
to heal over more readily than when a 
long stub is left at the end of the branch. 
In removing side branches the cut should 
be made close.and parallel, or nearly so, 
with the parent branch. When long 
stubs are left the wounds do not heal over 
and sooner or later decay starts. It is 
usually in this way that wood-destroying 
fungi get into the tree, resulting in the 
familiar hollowed trunks. (See Fig. 2.) 
The cuts should be made as smoothly as 
possible to facilitate the healing process. 
To prevent the accumulation of moisture 
on the surface, large cuts are usually 
made in a sloping direction. Wounds of 
two inches or more in diameter should 
always be sealed up with paint, or other 
substance. Some careful growers use a 
thin grafting wax for this purpose. If 
the wounds do not heal over within two 
years a second coat should be given. Any 
ordinary lead and oil paint will answer 
the purpose, but it should not be applied 
until after the exposed wood has become 
thoroughly dry, and it should be used 
moderately thick to fill up the cracks. 
Fig. 2. Decay starting 
A Neglected Wound. 
at this point, has extended far down the 
trunk. Large wounds should always be kept 
well coated with paint. 
