Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-08-31

growers is most prevalent entire neglect
of pruning, or injudicious mutilation with
axe and saw We commend the following
rules to the attention of all our readers :
"The theory ofthe pruning of fruit trees
rests on the following six general princi-
pies:
81. The vigor of tree, subjected to
pruning, depends, in great measure, on
the equal distribution Of sap in all its
branches
ain fruit trees abandoned to themselves,
the sap is equally distributed in different
parts without any other aid than nature,
because the tree assumes the form most in
harmony with the natural tendency Of the
sap.
But in those submitted to pruning, it
is different; the forms imposed on them,
such as espalier, pyramid, vast, e,&c., change
more or less the normal direction of the
sap, and prevent it from taking the form
proper to its species. Thus nearly all the
forms given to trees require the develop
ment Of ramifcations more or less nume-
rous, and Of greater or less dimensions at
the base of the stem. And, as the sap
tends by preference towards the summit of
the tree, it happens that, unless great care
be taken, the branches at the base become
feeble, and finally dry up, and the form
intended to be obtained disappears to be
replaced by the natural form, that is a stem
or trunk with a branching head. 1t is
then indispensable, if we wish to preserve
the form We impose upon trees, to employ
certain means, by the aid of which the
natural direction of the sap can be chang
ed and directed towards the points where
We wish to obtain the most vigorous growth.
To do this VIC must arrest vegetation in
the parts that do not receive enough. To
accomplish this the following means must
be successively employed.
81. Prune the branches of the most vi
gorous parts very short, and those Of the
weak parts long. We know that the sap
is attracted by the leaves. The removal
Of large number of wood-buds from the
vigorous parts, robs them of the leaves the
buds would have produced consequently
the sap is attracted there in less quanti-
ties, and the growth thereby diminished
The feeble parts being pruned long, pre-
sent great number of buds, which pro-
duce large surface of leaves, and these
attract the sap and acquire a vigorous
growth. This principle holds good in all
trees, under whatever form they may be
conducted
"2. Leave large quantity of fruit on
the strong part, and remove the whole, or
greater part, from the feeble. We know
already that the fruit has the property of
attracting to it the sap from the roots, and
employing it entirely to its own growth.
The necessary result Of this is, what we
are about to point out, viz, that all the
sap which arrives in the strong parts will
be absorbed by the fruits, and the wood
there, in consequence, will make bu. little
growth, while on the feeble parts, deprived
of fruits, the sap will all be appropriated
by the growing parts, and they will in
crease in size and strength.
"3. Bend the strong parts and keep the
weak erect. The more erect the branches
and stem are, the greater will be the flow
of sap to the growing parts; hence, the
feeble parts being erect, attract much more
sap than the strong parts inclined, and,
consequently, make more vigorous
growth, and soon recover their balance.
This remedy is more especially applied to
espalier trees.
"4. Remove from the vigorous parts the
superfuous shoots as early in the season
as possible, and from the feeble parts as
late as possible. The fewer the number
of young shoots there are on branch, the |,
ltWtI tuttc oIC VI iCGhCsJ duu CuuSI', ',ucutly
the less is the sap attracted there. Hence,
in leaving the young shoots on the feeble !
part, their leaves attract the sap there, and
induce vigorous growth.
"5. Pinch early the soft extremeties Of
the shoots on the vigorous parts, and as
late as possible on the feeble parts, excep-
ting always any shoots which may be too
vigorous for their position. BY thus pinch
ing early the strong part, the flow Of sap
to ,ha. point is checked, and naturally
turns to the growing ports that have not
been pinched; this remedy is applicable
to trees in all forms.
&c Lay in the strong shoots on the
trellis early, and leave the feeble parts
loose as long as possible. Laying in the
strong parts obstructs the circulation of the
sap in them, and consequently favors the
weak parts that are loose. This is only
applicable to espalicrs.
81. In espalier trees, giving the feeble
parts the benefit of the light, and confn-
ing the strong parts more in the shade. re-
stores balance, for light is TIE agent