170 



TWENTY-EIGHTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



There arises the question, occasionally, whether it is worth while to 

 undertake the "appalling task of getting into the inside of an old 

 orange tree to saw and cut off and drag out the dead wood." Perhaps 

 it is not, if that is all that is contemplated by pruning. It gives con- 

 tent and repose to consider that it is nature's way of disposing of old 

 and useless growth by deadening it; the brush takes but little room, 

 and does no harm. 



There is, however, one kind of cutting that is usually done, for it is 

 plainly seen that it is misdirected energy of plant life — that is, the 

 removal of suckers from the body of the tree. 



Neither sort of interference with the tree is the result of a studied 

 system of pruning the orange, either for the good of the tree, as a 

 regular and thrifty fruit-bearer, or for the good of the owner, in pro- 

 ducing the best quality of fruit. 



There are some exceptions to this general custom, who have founded 

 their practice on good judgment and experience; and, I think, the tide 

 has turned in favor of more pruning than in earlier times. But the 

 minority is a small one who have reasoned, observed, and acted accord- 

 ing to sound reasoning and careful observation in regular pruning of 

 the orange tree as a necessary feature of the work to be done in securing 

 the best outcome; and few there are of this minority who can cut, with 

 that unconcern which marks the pruner of deciduous fruit trees, the 

 limbs or twigs that have any promise of fruitage. 



There is no reason in laws of growth why the orange tree should be 

 an exception to the general rule that pruning should be done to secure: 

 "(a) Convenience of the grower; (b) Health and strength of the tree; 

 (c) Regulation of heat and light; (d) Attainment of strong bearing 

 wood; (e) Attainment of size and quality of fruit; and (/) Promotion 

 of regular bearing." 



I quote from Wickson's " California Fruits," the best authority in the 

 State, the above statement of the objects of pruning. They were made 

 with especial reference, I presume, to deciduous fruits. 



There is no orchard work more systematically and thoroughly done 

 in California than the pruning of deciduous fruit trees, particularly by 

 those engaged in growing the fruit for Eastern shipment. There is no 

 work of the sort more uniform over large areas of orchard. By this 

 means, and it could be done by no other, there is grown fruit of fine 

 quality, of good average size, and of such value as to stand shipment 

 across the continent. Thinning is, to be sure, an adjunct of this process, 

 but not sufficient in itself. In fact, pruning of this or any kind of fruit 

 tree is one form of intense culture. 



With the exception of many orange-growers, it is agreed that pruning 

 is an essential for excellence of results. Man is satisfied only with the 

 best products obtainable by the most skillful and costly efforts in direct- 



