Learn the citrus pruning techniques from the experts.

On December 30, 2016, Hubei Yishizhuang Company specially invited Senior Agronomist Mr. Yuan Changzhong to explain the systematic citrus pruning techniques to the company's salespersons and agricultural chemistry service staff. Mr. Yuan also went to the fields to teach by personal example as well as verbal instruction. The on-site learning atmosphere was very intense. For the specific situation, please refer to the following report：

Towards the end of 2016, Mr. Yuan Changzhong, who was in his eighties, was invited by the company. Despite his fatigue, he came to explain to everyone the knowledge about citrus pruning, fertilization, and the prevention and control of diseases and pests. Mr. Yuan Changzhong has a high authority in citrus planting and management. He is almost a household name in the citrus industrial park in Yichang, Hubei Province, and also enjoys a great reputation in other places. When it comes to Mr. Yuan, citrus growers not only hold him in great respect but also feel deeply grateful to him. All of this, however, is inseparable from Mr. Yuan's selfless dedication and spirit of serving farmers. According to Mr. Yuan himself, he also graduated from an agricultural major. When he was young, in order to make a living, he went to the grassroots level and learned a great deal of practical experience. Later, he summarized and organized this knowledge and explained it to the farmers one by one. Moreover, he compiled a technical manual on citrus cultivation and management and distributed it to the farmers for them to study.

In the morning, Mr. Yuan explained to us the theoretical knowledge about citrus. He vividly elaborated on everything from the pruning of citrus trees to fertilization and then to the prevention and control of diseases and pests. Among them, the most detailed explanation was about the citrus pruning techniques, which gave us a general understanding of the overall structure of citrus. For example, the composition of the tree structure, several pruning methods, in which seasons and growth periods pruning should be carried out, and what the differences are in pruning during different growth periods, etc. He also analyzed in detail the coping methods when encountering various actual situations. Mr. Yuan said to us meaningfully, "I'm still constantly learning new knowledge. You young people are in the prime of your memory, so you should also seize the time to read more books and go to the fields more often." The saying "It's never too old to learn" is well demonstrated by Mr. Yuan. We should not only learn knowledge from Mr. Yuan but also learn from his spirit.

In the afternoon, after a short break, we went to an orange orchard that hadn't been pruned yet. Mr. Yuan told us that when giving lectures to farmers, we should bring two things: knowledge in our minds and the "weapon" in our hands (scissors). When Mr. Yuan took out the scissors that had been with him for many years, I noticed that the paint on the scissors had been worn off, revealing the grayish-brown color of the iron. Some threads were wrapped around it, probably modified to prevent blisters on the hands. And the blade part clearly showed signs of being sharpened many times. It's imaginable that the hand holding these scissors has taught countless people the citrus pruning techniques.

After entering the orange orchard, Mr. Yuan found an orange tree that needed severe pruning as an example. He walked around the tree as a whole first and then analyzed how to start. The scene was packed tightly. Under his guidance, the salesperson used a saw to make a "skylight" for the orange tree first, and then pruned the branches, clusters, groups, and positions. While pruning, he explained the reasons. Soon, the tree became well-ventilated, well-lit, and layered. He also demonstrated hand-in-hand how to use the scissors, emphasizing the need to use skillful strength. He even joked that, looking at it, these young lads were not as good as him, an old man, at using the scissors.

After combining theory with practice, we all picked up the scissors and went into the orange orchard to practice on the spot. Two to three people were responsible for pruning one orange tree. After the pruning was completed, Mr. Yuan would come to check and give guidance. Then we would correct the wrong parts according to his instructions. Under Mr. Yuan's careful guidance, almost everyone had a general understanding of how to prune.

We are extremely grateful to Mr. Yuan for bringing us this course that combines theory with practice. We have benefited a great deal from it, and we also hope to have the opportunity to attend his lectures several more times and learn more agricultural knowledge.

Farmers need such teachers who possess both theoretical knowledge and practical experience and are down-to-earth. China needs such amiable, respectable and knowledgeable experts.