. Better fruit. Fruit-culture. Page 12 should be made to keep the fruiting wood low. Strength—Make the tree strong and stocky so it will hold up a maximum load of fruit with as little artificial propping as possible. Most varieties will bear more fruit than they can hold up. Strong stiff obliquely rising growth sustains weight much better horizontal branches but is more apt to split at the crotch. A combina- tion of the two is desired. Start the branch out more horizontally and turn it upward gradually as it becomes smaller and weaker. This will give the strongest effect. Avoid starting
. Better fruit. Fruit-culture. Page 12 should be made to keep the fruiting wood low. Strength—Make the tree strong and stocky so it will hold up a maximum load of fruit with as little artificial propping as possible. Most varieties will bear more fruit than they can hold up. Strong stiff obliquely rising growth sustains weight much better horizontal branches but is more apt to split at the crotch. A combina- tion of the two is desired. Start the branch out more horizontally and turn it upward gradually as it becomes smaller and weaker. This will give the strongest effect. Avoid starting two or more of the main branches near the same point on the trunk in forming the head as a weak crotch is apt to result. They should issue in a whorl at least six or seven inches apart. Crooks in the limbs are slightly condu- cive to strength and fruitfulness, as the downward flow of the sap in them is more restricted. A tree will hold up a heavier load if part is distributed throughout the central portion of the tree. LIGHT and Heat—Usually the fruit of the highest color, size and quality is in the top of the tree where the light con- ditions are best. Prune to keep the form open enough to admit sufficient light into the more profitable lower and interior parts of the tree. Light is not only essential in properly coloring the fruit but is most neces- sary in the digestion of the plant food in the leaves. In California and climates of high sum- mer heat, it is necessary to prune less open, growing a denser top to shade and protect the trunk and branches from sun scald. In most localities of the Pacific Northwest where there is little damage from heat, one should strive to give as much light as pos- sible to the fruit and foliage. Health and Vigor—Trees have a ten- dency as they grow older, to become less BETTER FRUIT thrifty and vigorous and to produce smaller fruit. Such trees make very little wood growth and usually receive very little pruning. The pruning should always
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