1 Jawn., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAD. 23 
This form of pruning properly carried out gives a tree strong branches, 
having a general upright tendency, enables it to carry fruit without assistance, 
and effectually shades the centre from sunburn or scald. ‘This latter 
consideration is of great importance, and if neglected it leads to serious loss in 
a hot climate. 
The height at which the tree is to be headed will be influenced by location, 
as it has been found by experience that the higher the prevailing summer 
temperature and the greater the aridity the lower the tree should be headed. 
The advantages of low heading are accessibility of fruit, ease of pruning, 
symmetry, solidity, decrease of danger from winds, and greater facility to 
approach the tree with the horse in cultivation. Where the trees are properly 
trained with low heads and obliquely-rising branches, as shown in the 
accompanying illustrations, one can get much nearer to them than in the case 
of trees headed high, with horizontal or drooping branches. These are, 
however, not all the advantages of low heading. Another very important 
thing in a hot climate is the shading of the trunk, and prevention thereby of 
sunburn, as well as shading the ground around the roots. It is also found 
that branches starting from near the ground make a more vigorous growth 
than when the tree is headed higher. va 
The general effects of pruning may be summarised as follows :— 
1. Close pruning, when the tree is dormant, induces tree-growth. Hence, 
if a tree is feeble or has not grown as could be wished, it should be 
closely trimmed in the winter season, always cutting just above 
healthy buds. 
. A severe shock to the tree, whilst the sap is flow- 
ing frecly, causes the tree to throw out fruit 
buds and spurs for the next season, and pruning 
whilst the tree is in blossom will cause that crop 
to set. 
. When tree-growth is desired, prune whilst the 
tree is dormant; but, if fruit is desired, prune 
either root or top whilst the sap is flowing. 
. For plums, prunes, and apricots, leave all the 
small spurs growing along the branches, no 
matter whether the tree is young or old, for on 
them the bulk of the fruit is grown. Head in 
well from the outside, which tends to develop 
these spurs, and also strengthens the tree, and 
the fruit is grown where the tree is best able to 
bear it. 
. Apples, peaches, and pears are inclined to bear 
nearer the tips, and young trees should be well 
headed in during the winter season, both to give 
the tree symmetry and strength, and also to 
induce a more vigorous wood growth, and pre- 
vent a premature bearing of fruit. 
The first and most important step in the formation of 
the tree is taken as soon as it is planted out, and this has 
been already described in the October number of Zhe 
Queensland Agricultural Journal, vol. 1, Part 4, page 814, 
under the head of “ Cutting-back at Planting,’ so that I 
will not repeat what I then wrote, but will refer my readers —= 
to the number of the Journaé just referred to. 
I will, however, reproduce the illustration (Fig. 1) of Fs. eet Hu Pens 
eutting-back at planting, so that the various stages in the 9 Tianting. | dirs 
formation of the tree may be clearly seen, as the future line shows where the 
shape of the tree depends mainly on this, the first pruning. cut should be made. 
When cutting-back or shortening-in, the distance from the bud at which 
the cut should be made is best shown by the accompanying illustration 
(sce Fig. 2), which has been reproduced from Barry. 
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