126 
or forceps and wash hands with plenty of water as soon as pos- 
sible. 
The Sulphuric acid will burn a hole through anything it touches. 
None of it must therefore be allowed to drop on hands, shoes or 
clothes. It is much heavier than water and when poured into the 
graduate care must be taken that it does not squirt back into the 
operator's face. Mixed with water it produces heat, hence in 
mixing the two the acid should always be poured into the water 
instead of the reverse. 
It is advisable to have the fruit perfectly dry during fumigation. 
P. S. — A double dose will not injure the fruit, and should be 
employed where the single dose, whether because of inferior 
chemicals or some other reason, fails to kill the insects. 
PRUNING DECIDUOUS TREES. 
The framework of the future orchard tree should be entirely 
formed when the third vears' pruning has been given. Too often 
no attention is given to this important part of tree training and in 
other cases the tree is given the proper shape when planted, but 
here the work is allowed to stop. If we are to have the character 
of the tree top determined at the third spring, close study and at- 
tention as well as work, must be given the young trees each season. 
For those who are unfamiliar with the growing trees and plants, 
the basic principle cannot be too often insisted upon — that most 
trees and plants must be cut back when planted. 
Yearling whips of all sorts of orchard trees are the best to 
plant. Such trees usually have no branches. Cut them back to a 
point 13 to 24 inches above where the first branch is wanted. The 
mere cutting back will induce most of the buds to form branches. 
If not cut back, usually but a few comparatively weak branches 
will push out and these near the top. Many trees die outright 
where this important feature is neglected. The second year, from 
three to five branches are selected to form the framework of the 
tree. All the rest are removed. The selected branches should be 
properly spaced around the stem so as to form a symmetrical, well 
balanced top. One should constantly have in mind the way the 
tree will appear when it is full grown. 
Apple trees have been particularly in mind in the above dis- 
cussion, but the principles will apply to all fruit trees. Open cen- 
tered trees have also been discussed for the reason that they are 
considered best. If one prefers a tree with a central leader, the 
training is much the same, except that at the first pruning the 
uppermost branch is left longer, upon which is developed what 
amounts to a second top. — W. Paddock in The Rural Calif omian. 
