Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-07-05

dpprOdCuSS tu0 oSo'HS o6@'
a structure in the descending sap vessels, a
the bifurcation, or Junction, of the branches
with the stem, and consequent accumu'a
ton of elaborated sap in the branches &c
generate fruit buds, and 10 swell the frult
The same object is sometimes, though 'n'
iudiciously, effected, by taking out a mario"
circle of bark, or by ligatures, to prevent
the descent of the elaborated sap. Hence
the upright shoot is often cut out. parllcu'
larly in the apple tree. and the branches are
trained horizontally, diagonally, or in ball
inverted position, as on walls, espalierssand
in the en- queneiRe, or distaf:form of train.
ing. These operations have also tenden.
cy to improve the quality of the fruit, by
giving it a better exposure to the kind ol
influences of the sun, air and light, all es.
sential 10 its due maturity and high flavor.
Nature provides for the propagation of the
species, by producing perfect seed. leaving
to art the labor and contrivance of enlarglng
and enriching the pulp or fruit. All fruits
nay be improved from their natural state,
by artificial culture, though nolhing may be
added thereby to the intrinsic value Of the
seed, or natural duration ofthe tree. Tie
seeds of the wild crab. or wild pear, are as
good to SOW for stocks, to graft or bud upon,
as the seeds Of the cultivated varieties OF
these fruits and indeed, according TO DR..
Van Mons theory which his practice seems
10 have confirmed, they are the best from
which to start new varieties.
Prune, therefore, when necessary 10 i'm.
prove timber; prune for ornament; prune
10 improve the fruit but do not prune in
the hope of accelerating growth or Of pro.
longing life. And in all your prunlngs, cut
while The wood is small, and spare to the
tree all the foliage you can consistent with
The object you have in view. BY pruning
when the tree is young, and pruning often
we n ay secure handsome stem and well
formed head, and we cause no wounds that
do not speedily heal.
The common practice is, to prune in au.
tumn or spring, when the tree is divested of
foliage. To this practice we make two
objections. In the first place the wounds
are exposed--unless covered with suitable
compassionate the searching and corrod.
ing influence ofthe sun, wind and rain, there
being no leaves TO shield, nor circulating
pulp to heal them.. In the second place, it
causes the multiplication of succors, and of.
ten increases the evil which it is designed
10 cure. The soap is arrested in tho spring.
when its aow rs greatest, in its natural
course to the amputa,ed branches, oozes
out and corrodes the bark and wool, or ex-
haus.s ilselfin the production Of prol 6c
growth of succors, more detrimental than
the parts that have been Topped off. If
pruning is performed the last OF J Inc. when
the exuberan, flow of sap has abated, the
wounds are in measure pro ect d. by the
foliage, from the weather much auelaooTa-
ted, has become elaborated sap, and trans.
formed into cambium. or pulp, whose heal.
ing quail les soon cover the edges OF the
wound few or no succors are generated
and the heart the tree is in measure pre-.
served from canker and decay. These opn.
ions as TO the propriety Of summer pruning
lrun trees, have been confirmed. IN our mind,
by three years practice and observation.
Another common error IN pruning, is he
practice Of cutting all the lateral shoots from
young tree, except few at the apex /;
and to cut young vigorous wood from the
tops of old trees, leaving long extended ma.
ked branches, which are often broken by
the W nds. In the first case. we obtain long
splndllnq stems, incapable of supporting,
when transplan,ed 10 an open situation, a
respectable top. The same evil occurs in
the nursery, or the forest, when tae young
trees stand IN a crowded position. In the
second case, we produce unsightly and
comparatively unproductive tops. Since
the offices and importance of leaves in
vegetable economy have been better under.
stood, manifest improvement in pruning
has succeeded 1t is now con,ended, and
we think upon correct principles, that none.
or but very few, Of the lateral branches
should be cut entirely from young trees,
until the tree is tall enough 10 form head !;
but that the pruner should be content with
shortening those which interfere with the
main stem, and such as are Of unreasonable
length. BY this means, We obtain taper.
ing, and straight stem, and retain the aid OF
large portion of the leaves towards its en-.
largement. Every leaf contributes to the
growth of the stem below the point OF con.
nexion. When the tree has attained a
proper height to form the top, it is advisable
particularly with the apple, to cut out the
upright shoot, leaving three, or at most tour
laterals, or branches, upon different Sides
to form the top. ita little attention is given
annually to cutting out the small limbs
which are likely to cross or in;erfere with
each other, The necessity of fculting of flarge
branches will for u long time be superseded
ln old trees, the old branches frequently be-
come cankered and diseased, and young