Vol. LXXI. No. 4161. 
NEW YORK, JULY 27, 1912. 
WEEKLY. $1.00 PER YEAR 
BUILDING A LOW HEAD 
On a High-Browed Tree. 
There was an article on low-lieaded trees on page 017 
that was of great interest, and I would be pleased if you 
could get the same man who wrote that article to tell 
when the work ought to be done and how to treat the 
wounds. SAMUEL DEAN. 
Virginia. 
The making or building of a low head out of a 
high-headed tree is not always a simple problem, 
and not always worth while. The first thing to de¬ 
cide is, are the trees worth saving? If they are of 
a good variety and simply neglected, or if fairly well 
cared for but improperly pruned, so that the heads are 
too high, but otherwise in good health, sound, 
vigorous, and not too old, then the work in most 
cases will be worth while. However it would not 
pay to work with a few scattered trees, unless in a 
home orchard. 
We must not expect to develop as well formed 
a tree as if we had started with a year-old tree, and 
developed a low-head in the beginning. A tree that 
has no scaffold branches within 10 feet of the ground 
will never make so good a tree as one that has a 
lower and better built head, but if it can be brought 
lower, say 10 or. 15 feet taken off the high top and 
a new head formed at that height, it will be a much 
easier handled tree than it was before. Even the 
highest headed tree can be cut back so that its top 
is lower, but the best results are obtained from those 
that are of moderate height. By reducing their height 
the top is developed anew where it can be reached, 
while the extreme high head may still be out of reach 
after all that can be done. 
If the trees are worth saving, and the heads can 
be rebuilt lower, how is the work of dishorning to 
be done? The first step is to look each tree over 
carefully and locate the main branches in the frame 
of the tree, the cutting back of which will immedi¬ 
ately reduce the height or lateral spread. Then de- 
is need to cut these back it should be proportionately 
less as the main purpose is to lessen the height of the 
head. Any minor defects can be remedied after the 
reduction in height has been accomplished. 
TWO-YEAR OLD ROME BEAUTY—NEEDS TOPPING. 
Fig. 332. 
the dishorned head. In the latter case the center 
branches are left somewhat higher than the outer 
branches. This should not be carried to the extreme, 
however, or the new growth at the center will again 
tend to run up in the air and the cutting back will 
have to be repeated. 
After the work is planned out, cut away each 
branch at least a foot or two above the chosen side 
branch. Make the cuts first from one side and then 
from the other to prevent the falling branch from 
splitting the part that is to remain. When ready to 
make the final cut remember that a stub left on the 
end of a branch will not heal over, but will die and 
start decay in the branch. For this reason cut back 
close to the strong lateral branch already chosen, but 
don’t get too close, or weakness will result, and the 
lateral will be in danger of splitting off. Also, be 
sure to give the cut a sloping surface so that water 
cannot lodge upon it and start decay. In Fig. 334 
“A" is the proper cut. The cut at “B” is too high 
and level. 1 he stub would not heal over and water 
would lodge there, especially if a ring of healing 
growth were to form around the edge. The cut at 
C would be no better than “A” in any way and 
would make the side branch weak. 
In finishing up the work, if the bark at the edge 
of the cut is jagged or rough, smooth it up with a 
sharp knife so that all is left in good condition for 
the healing process. Lastly, cover the surface of 
the wound with grafting wax or white-lead paint. I 
much prefer the grafting wax if properly applied, as 
the paint cannot always be depended upon. It does 
not adhere to the moist surface as well as the wax, 
and cracks and peels away worse than the wax. If 
the wax is used and applied melted, with a brush or 
swab, an even coating is secured that will cling very 
well to the cut surface and really protect the wound. 
The wax applied cold is not so good. With either 
paint or wax it is advisable to examine the wounds 
occasionally in the Summer to see that no surfaces 
A FLOCK OF SHEEP IN A PUBLIC PARK TN RHODE ISLAND. Fig. 333. 
cide on the amount to be removed. This may be 
anywhere from five to 25 feet. The more horizontal 
branches will ordinarily not need much' cutting back 
unless they have grown too straggling. Even if there 
When it has been decided how much is to be cut 
away,' then locate good vigorous lateral branches on 
these main branches at the same height if possible, 
or so as to give a symmetrically rounded outline to 
are exposed and to renew the protecting coat if neces¬ 
sary. 
Now as to the time of year. It can be done at any 
time, but the mass of foliage, the easily broken tender 
