Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-02
The Orchard.

hC Hioot usual pTdCuCe HdS Ueeu, No
far as our observation has extended, to-
pruue fruit trees in March or April; but
II has been recommended by some to, Co
nit this work till May, Till after the leaves
are out; and by others still further to post
pone it till the last of June or beginning
OF July. ss. Against March and April
pruning, il is urged that the wood, whers
cut, is liable to crack, though the influ-
ence of the drying winds Of those months,
and being unprotected by foliage. that
the sap is apt to exclude and TO corrodi,
The lips of the wound; and iaat, at this
season, the efforts of nature to heal the
wounded parts are feeble. May prun-
ing has been objected to for the reason
that at this time ALI the organs of the
plant are in active operation, and ,ths,i
growth more vigorous than in any month
of the year, pruning cannot but be preiu-,
dicial. The sap vessels are at this time
full, and The sap pushing with great force
TO the extremilies; and if the branches.
are materially diminished, the sap will
force itself oat near where its flow has,
been, stopped, in numerous shoots, use
less for fruit, and unsightly to the eye..
Those who have pruned at this season.
eau judge what force there is in these
objections. Most of our trees. and par
ucularly fruit trees, have two periods of
growth in season, the first principally
in May or June, and the other towariss
autumn. Between these two periods,
their growth Ia in a manner quiescent.
This is declared by many to be the bes,
period for pruning-becauss the second
growth sutfices to cover the lips OF ,hS
or, when small, the wound i.self.
with new wood and bark; and, in the
second place, because the volume and
force Of the SAP are then so much dimin-
shed, that few shoots or sprouts are
thrown out, We have tried the differ
mt seasons, and are Of the opinion, that
he last mentioned time has a decided
preference. For three successive years,
we have pruned our orchard after cutting
an early crop Of grass, say the middle Of
July, and have Witnessed none of the
evils which have resulted from aulumn
and spring pruning. '... , =
We recommend to the cautious orchar-
list TO do as we have done: try the three
and hold fast to that which
Ioes best Experience is the best school
N which to gain instruction, and it is ths
,nly school in which most of Us ara
willing to learn, ~ .'+ Aa," "..'
We will give but three rules in regard
10 the operation of pruning an orchard,
md they will be short ones. 4-""
Prune annually, If judiciously done.
lone but small branches will be required
10 be cut, and the wounds Of those will
soon heal. - a... '@A as ta-'t. 2.a @f .@#
Make a clean cut, and pare smooth
with sharp knife, the edges of the
wound. This will greatly facilitate the
healing process and preserve the tree
rom decay. . 7-' Wy 20
When the habi. of the tree will allow,
axe out the leading shoot, at the heigh.
where you design to have the branches
spread. A horizontal branch vii. pro-
luce more fruit than an upright one. '3si' ~
The best applicationtaat we have tried.
and we have used II to advantage six or
seven years,) 10 kill bark lice upon the
apple tree, to destroy larvae Of other in
'ec,s, and TO give clean, healthy ap-
pearance to the tree itself, is strong
ey made of wood ashes or potash. Il /
s applied to the bole or trunk Of the =
rec, and branches if necessary, with
brush, nailed or tied to a stick a yard or
more in length. The most suitable tims
10 make the application is between the
middle and last of May. ' ''..s.
There are advantages in tilling an or
chard. In TILED ground, trees are tho
The most vigorous and thrifty; and it :
seems TO be in measure necessary to
plough a few years to give the young
trees start. Yet even at this period,
great care is required not to cut the roots
with the plough. But when the trees
have acquired six OF eight years growth,
aud the roots become extended, still
greater precau,ion is necessary, or tho
injury becomes serious. 1t is not alto.
gether the large roots that are SO liable
to be cut, for these are often entirely
below the plough, but the innumerabie
fibres that spread in every direction. !
which escape the ploughman's notice.
but which arc literally the mouths thas
convey food to the plant. Our practice
has been, when an orchard is to be
ploughed, to proceed, first to dig tho
ground specifically with the spade, a.
bout the tree, two or three feet in breadth.
and as many yards lengthwise of the %
furrow, so that there shall be no baIk.
and to run the plough shallow near tho
dug part; and where the orchard is in
grass, to dig circles round the trees after
harvest, both 10 facilitate growth, and
10 prevent injury, in winter, from moles.
There is no less caution necessary in
using the spade than the plough. to pre-
serve The roots entire. Itis a good prac-
lice to cut the grass close with hoe,
and then strew rotten chip dung, &c
mixed with little lime the better,) about
The tree.-Western .4grieulturist.
No ExEMPTIoN.- ex-o
emption.' exclaimed Mrs. Par,ington.
throwing down the paper. ''It's coming