34 BULLETIN 147*7, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE 
thrifty for years if not in dense shade and if the conditions are favorable for 
wood growth. 
Spurs of the short twig type are produced at almost all nodes of the 1-year- 
old shoots, and those on the older branches soon grow to twigs. If the trees 
have been cut back or are growing well, new spurs are in turn produced by 
the vigorous twigs which are the outgrowth of spurs. If prevailing conditions 
are adverse to wood growth almost all spurs remain short, although they 
may become much branched after a few years; and many of those along the 
basal portion of each season's wood disappear. The spurs which form well out 
on the shoot live for a number of years, but seldom produce twigs if the branch 
is not cut back, but they bear well and so cause the branch to bend with the 
heavy load of fruit. This condition often results in their bearing only in 
alternate years. 
Fruit is borne on spurs in all parts of the tree and on nodes of 1-year-old 
twigs throughout the tree, but they are rarely found on large 1-year shoots. 
The nodes of the more slender 1-year-old twigs are usually leafless if bearing 
fruit, although near the base of the heavier twigs spurs are sometimes formed 
at fruiting nodes. 
Tree round topped, rather open, moderately vigorous, produces both fruit 
spurs and small fruiting twigs and retains them throughout the tree. In the 
performance and vigor of the fruiting wood, or the spurs and twigs, the Tragedy 
is probably influenced less by pruning than any of the other domestica varieties. 
The tree grows normally over a wide latitude and with greatly differing 
summer temperatures. It is quickly affected by drought and not extensively 
grown where water for irrigation is not available, because either the fruit will 
be of small size or, if pruning is sufficient to induce the development of large 
sizes, only enough fruiting wood will remain to produce a light crop. 
Fruit spurs and twigs grow freely along both large and small 1-year-old 
wood and, under moderate growing conditions, are vigorous and productive 
over a period of years (pi. 36, B and C). The small twigs make only a moderate 
terminal growth if the tree is fruiting well, but vigorous fruit spurs form on 
them. These are rather strong and not easily broken from the branch and 
under conditions favoring wood growth make considerable terminal growth 
(pi. 37, A). By pruning the twigs or spurs or by removing branches which 
grow near them they are often induced to make some terminal growth, and new 
twigs may appear ; but this twig growth is less marked than with most twig- 
producing varieties. The new shoots which appear following heading back 
are, however, large and vigorous with the Tragedy, as with other varieties. 
Spurs and twigs of vigorous trees branch freely if given light ; but if shaded 
or if the trees are in need of irrigation or pruning, many disappear after 
fruiting, and the new wood growth is short. In shallow soils and where roots 
are unthrifty or the stock uncongenial, a proportionately greater number of 
spurs than twigs will be formed (pi. 37, B). Even under surroundings favor- 
able to wood growth, the development of secondary or fruiting branches is 
inclined to be checked early in their growth in favor of the development of 
lateral twigs and spurs. In this case the vegetative vigor can be maintained 
and the desired growth and shape of the trees obtained by heading back the 
thrifty 1-year-old shoots. This can .be done with but a moderate sacrifice of 
fruiting wood lower in the tree, if there is sufficient thinning of branches to 
admit light. Pruning has a more moderate influence on the growth of fruiting 
wood of Tragedy than on most varieties (pi. 36, C). 
Heavy new shoots appear near the end of stubs of branches which have been 
headed back and near where branches have been removed in other parts of 
the tree. They make a rapid erect growth and do not branch during the first 
season but produce numerous lateral spurs and a few twigs when 1 year old. 
Under poor growing conditions spurs only will be produced. When bearing 
heavy crops the large unpruned shoots make but little terminal growth. 
Fruit is borne for the most part on growing spurs of wood of all ages, 
although occasionally on leafless nodes on the more slender 1-year wood, on 
leafless spurs of unthrifty trees, and in shaded parts of the tree. 
The tendency of the Tragedy to form thrifty fruit spurs and twigs and to 
retain them throughout the tree, until they are eliminated by shade, and the 
growing of vigorous new branches from old as well as from new wood are 
indications of the vegetative vigor that is retained throughout the tree and of 
