Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1839-05-09
pRuNuNe FRUIT TREES.

As the season Of the year has nov arrivs
ed or is near at hand, when many Of the
farmers are accustomed to prune their ap-
rle trees, wish to call their attention 10
this subject, and urge them 10 defer this
operation until later ia the season.
Every one who has observed the fruit
trees in this part Of the State, can not have
failed TO notice the unthrifty appearance of
very many of them. And whenever they
are cut down, they are generally found to-
be dead or rotten at the heart. Now this
is just what might be expected to result
from pruning them at this season of the
year. This error has, probably arisen from
the belief, that the limbs must be taken off
before the circulation Of the sap has loosen
ed the bark. And it is probably true that
trees may now be pruned with less trouble
than at any other season of the year. But
il is believed that the injury done to the vi
taliiy Of the tree much more than balances
any additional care which might DO neces-
sary TO perform the same operations in the
month of May and June, vhen the sap is in
free and rapid circulation in the alburnnm.
During the winter and part oc the spring
and fall months, the principal part Of the
sap is in the heartwood and experiments
seem 10 prove that wounds made at this
season do not soon heal but the tree luses
its thrifty appearance aud finally dies
Timber cut at this time will not last as we'll
as that cut when there is less sap in the
heart Of the tree-being subject 10 the dry
rat.
It 10 we'll known fact, that rails cut
when they will peel are very durable,
while others cut in the winter will not last
half as long. Posts are usually cut in the
winter season for the convenience Of cut
ting holes in them, and this is probably
ono reason why they decay SO soon.
In communication to Silliman's Jour-
nal about q year since, by Phineas Rainey,
Esq, of Midcletown, Conn.,, that gentle
man states that in 1901, being concerned
in building q small freighting ship, he de-
,ermined to make her one Of the best and
most durable an Connccticu. river. Ac~
cordingly he cut the timber in December
and MISUNDERSTANDING US many others
then did, that this was the best time. In
the spring, when the ship was nearly COM
pleted, "a few sticks were wanting, which
were cut when the leayes were full grown
and put in green. In the spring of 1915,
The dry-rot had made such destruction
among her timbers, that it was found nee
essary to repair her from her middle wale
up. But though the other timbers were so
much decayed, those cut in June were per-
tec.ly sound
Fhe same writer says, that whilc enter-
tanning the same erroneous opinions, COM
mon at that time, he had small apple tree
enerafted with choice fruit, ono limb Of
which he found necessary to cut off, In
order to do the tree as little injury as pos
sible, it was cut of ia December. On ex-r
| aiming the stump from which it was taken
several years after. he found it affected
with the dry-rot in lbs purest type. The
tree became sickly and its fruit was imper- e
feet.
These facts, it is believed, will agree
with the experience Of those who have OBJ
served the effects produced upon trees by
taking off their branches at different sea-
sons Of the year Vhey are fully confirmed
by the limited experience Of the writer,)
and may it not account for the sickly app
pearance of so many Of our orchardsE
| The subject seems TO be Of considerable
Importance and il farmers who have been
accustomed TO prune their trees in the fall
or early in the spring, do not choose to al
ter their practice, it is at least hoped, that
they will prune two or three Of them in
May. or June,. aud observe the result.
HeH.pskirs Gasstss.
| Church and State" Christianity carr
exist without protection, nay, in spite ofop-
position from any human governments
The proof is seen In her triumphant march.
amid The ruins Of mighty empires that were
eagued TO oppose her progress. i is seen
in the charter Of the church, that places her
safety under the guaranty Of Omnipotence.
Blu. can government exist and prosper with
on. seligiOn9 Look on ,he page ofhistory
aud see. Communities that have tried tho
experiment, have persisted in their folly, or
been chastiscd into wisdom with whip Of
scorpions. Should heaven, 10 ito wrath,
leave our own country to try tho same ex-
pertinent, we shall indeed travel the broad
highway Of nations, but shall find ito every
footstcp marked with calamity and blood"
Old Mem for Counsel" Father, )" said
young man once, to a patriarch of the
mountains. who 10 still living, (after he.
ing told that he must not go with half a
dozen idle fellows, who had come 10 in-
vito him. " Father, why 10 il that you
deny me those privileges which other po-
rents grant 50 readily to their sons Of my
own age3' /" David" said the father,
after lifting up his head and leaning up,
on the top of his hoe handle, :" have
lived much longer in the world than you
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