Show 1 U OBJECTS SOUGHT IN PRUNING mistakes in forming head or results of neglect in 14 early years are irreparable prepared hy by the united states department of agriculture the principal objects sought in pruning may be summarized as follows 1 to modify the vigor of the tree tree 2 to keep the tree shapely and within hounds bounds ato 3 to make the tree more stocky 4 to open the tree top to admit air drift sunshine 5 to reduce the struggle true 1 I for existence in the tree top 6 to remove lead dead or interfering branches 7 to renew the visor vigor ot of the tree 8 to aid in stimulating the development of fruit buds 9 to secure rood good distribution of fruit buds throughout the tree 10 to thin the fruit 11 to induce uniformity ty la in the ripening of the fruit 12 to make thorough spraying possible 13 to facilitate the harvesting of tho I 1 fruit the pruning which a tree rec receives elves luring during the first two or ahr three ce years after it Is planted has much to do with its future mistakes in forming the head or the results of neglect during the early years in the life of a tree are practically irreparable on the other land it if the tree Is well formed and properly pruned during its first years the foundation of a good tree Is established subsequent errors in pruning if they occur may admit of correction without permanent harm to tile tree in general the proper time to prune peach trees Is during the dormant period preferably in late winter or early spring just before growth starts except in regions where blooding bleeding from wounds is likely to occur in such re alons glons it should probably be done in early winter but conditions lind and tile the object of the pruning must be considered in each case it if the pruning operations erat ions are very extensive st it may be necessary to prune throughout the winter inter vh whenever enever the weather is 13 suitable for men to work in the orchard it if the fruit buds tire are endangered during the winter by adverse temperatures it may be advisable to delay pruning as much as economic conditions permit until settled spring weather arrives this Is especially advisable it if heavy heading in of the previous seasons growth Is involved since the proportion of live buds may determine the extent to which the cutting back should be carried A limited amount of summer pruning can usually be done to advantage the trees should be observed constant AIA N X av I 1 A A fr kam q WN 4 badly pruned peach tree where be bear ar ing wood Is near extremities of limbs weight of small crop would be likely to break limbs to serious extent ly throughout the season of active growth whenever a branch Is seen to be so placed that it obviously will need to be removed at the annual pruning for the shaping up of the tree it 11 is well to take it oft off ato alonco nc in this way the annual pruning can be reduced to a minimum and the removal of large limbs will rarely be necessary then too it frequently happens that a single ingle branch in the top of a tree will grow considerably faster than tiny any of the others making the tree unsymmetrical it if tile the growth of ille branch is not checked A slight heading in as soon as such ft a tendency 1 Is i apparent will usually keep the top well balanced |