Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-08-26
2gritultaral,
80 DESTROY Underbrush.

puat is the best timeto cutunderbrush, &c {"
Il, the June number of the FARMER, the above
question is proposed by g 4 Subscriber, " to which
I propose TO give an answer, combining both lit
tie experience and little theory. Having been
brought up on a farm, I used to hear much said by
farmers in regard to the :. best time for cutting
bushes. &C.. and remember well the many uncer-
taintes that existed and the various oplIons CIV
en- on the subject. Some recommend to cut them
AT one season some at another. Some regard the
..moop y others the q signs &c. l also relnem-
her that the same kind of underbrush, ifc at one
season. would start again and grow luXuriantly ;
but if cut st another, would be completely =" used
up" have also within the last few years, had an
opportunitv to notice the facts and the con-
clusion to which have arrived is, that different
shrubs or bushes, trees &C., may be cut at differ
ent seasons of the year. Some are killed by cut
ting as early as the first July; others by the
first of August; and so on till October or even No
vember. The rule is this % Cut any plant, or
shrub, about the time it is done growing for the
season, and its destruction is almost certain. -
cut before this time it viii generally start again
the next year. The exceptions are few. So much
for the facts, now for the theory.
1st. In the spring Of the yea, al roots ero Wig
orous. Hence, if a tree or shrub be cut at this
time, or while in full growth the roots will send
forth new set of fshoots. The exceptions arc
1st. Evergrcens, as gine, hcmlocl, spruce, &c.-
I'd. Those that have a copious flow of sap in the
spring, as maple, birch, sc. Yet even some Of
these, will start again ifcut soon after the buds
have opened, i. G., after the spring flow ofsap has
ceased; except case ofod Orlarge trees in which
the roots appear not sufficiently vigorous or the
evaporation from the new stump too rapid to allow
the formation ofnew shoots.
ID In autumn, when a shrub or tree has done
growing for the season, the active energies Of the
roots cease, being, perhaps, somewhat exhausted
by its summer action. Ifthen, the bush or tree
be cut after it has done growing, but while TIN
stem and leaves are fresh and full of sap the vita
force ofthe roots will rarely be found sufficient t
cause new growth but ifleft till the foliage i
dead or dying the energies ofthe roots are restore
by the returning ofthe sap, and are ready for ac
lion again as soon as the season growth shall re
turn. Hence, too early or too late cutting will b
equally unsuccessful
Cut your underbrush, then at the time aboy
specified, and it will rarely start again Ifit does
the growth will appear stinted or sckly, and sool
die ofits own accord, or second cutting at prop
er time will insure success. The same rule apple
to all other plants, as Canada thistle, milk
&c, &C., with greater or less certainty, according
to the greater or less vital force tenacity ofile
peculiar to the roots of each kind Of yegeta
ble
The q proper time" can easily be determined b,
V--arving whether new leaves continue to appea
at the ei-' the prominent branches. When th
END leaves are o. ~ size, and bud is seen at tn
end oft the branch, then, of, or - ,,,. fin,
to cut. Ifdeferred long beyon. his tir,o or fl
heIeaves begin to turn yellow, or fall, W,
be ofIttle use, as the roots will be strong for ne
start on the opening of new spring.