6 
SUCCESS IN FRUIT-GROWING 
Pruning at Planting Time. — Train the tree 
now in the way it should grow, according to its 
kind and your requirements; low-headed for com- 
mercial purposes, high-headed for the home yard 
or garden. 
When fruit trees, shrubs, roses, or ornamental 
trees are planted, the limbs should be cut back 
about two-thirds, removing entirely undesirable 
branches. 
With two-year apple and pear, shorten the 
limbs to from 6 to 10 inches; with one-year apple 
and pear, cut off the trunk 2 to feet from the 
ground. 
With cherry trees, cut out any damaged or 
broken or interfering branches. Some growers cut 
out the central leader and all but three to five 
branches, and even cut off the tip ends a few inches. 
With peach, apricot and plum trees, cut oflf 
the trunk 12 to 15 inches from the ground and 
shorten the limbs back to about an inch 
Grapevines should be cut back to two or three 
sound buds, and the roots a half to two-thirds. 
The tops of blackberry, raspberry, gooseberry, 
and currant are usually cut back before shipment 
from the nursery. They should be left 4 to 5 
inches long. 
The newly transplanted tree makes its start on 
the food stored up in the roots. The tops must be cut 
back when setting the trees whether you buy them 
according to height or diameter. 
Showing the ufie of the "planting board" 
The first two years are the critical 
period in the life of a tree. Particular 
care and attention are required during 
this babyhood. 
Note — Some of the greatest causes of the failure of 
newly set trees are: They are left too long with their roots 
exposed to sun and wind; they are not properly pruned at 
planting time {the tops mustbe cut back, otherwise the re- 
serve food stored up in the trees may he exhausted before 
new roots have formed); the soil is not tramped firmly 
about the roots. For further details on cultivation, fertili- 
zation, etc., see our "Inside Facts of Profitable Fruit 
Growing." 
Which trees are worth more — the 5 on the left (A) , or the 5 on the right 
(B)7 All these trees would be put into one grade if graded by height. But 
we grade by caliper (diameter), and the 5 at the right go into XX grade, the 
5 at the left into the XXX grade. 
"To begin with, a tree for planting should have three qualities: It should 
be clean, strong and alive. Its shape won't matter so much— you will ruin 
what shape it has when you prune it anyway, and its future form will depend 
upon your skill in pruning later on."— B. W. Douglas in Country Gentleman. 
Roots before and after pruning 
