Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-04-26
Aaritultnral.
WHEN TO PRUNE.

A correspondent has furnished US with the
following text: AT what time in the year
should the different kinds of pruning be per-
formed, in the cold ATTITUDES of the north,
and in the milder climates of the so uth g
We hold that pruning in general, in our
northern climates is safest after the severe
frosts of winter are over, Immediately before
the swelling of the buds. When performed
early in the winter, or in the autumn, as is
practiced properly in mild climates. the ends
of the cut shoots dry up, shrive and die;
loosing the buds intended to make leading
shoots, and leaving dead points that require
much labor to prune of afterwards; or if
large branches are cut off, leaving broad,
fresh surface, the wood and bark dry up, and
require long time to heal. We perform
most of our pruning in the month Of March,
although great deal of the less exact nurse
ry pruning is done in FEBRUARY: Southwark,
as the winter is mild and the spring early, we
should prefer pruning very early in the win
ter. or Immediately after fall Of the leaf, be-
cause activity in the functions of the tree
commences early, or scarcely ceases, and we
must believe it does during our intensely cold
weather, and by pruning early, we economic
the strength OF the tree.
- Pruning in the season when the feaueS
are on The only pruning we hold to be
sound safe, and commendabe, at this season,
is that of the finger and thumb, in other
words, pinching. 1t is quite inconsistent with
good management to rear crop OF good
shoots ut two or three inches growth before
they attain to woodiness. This economies
the force of the tree, and turns it into chan
mel where it will promote instead of frustrait-
ing the ends we are aiming at. For instance,
if we plant young tree, and have trimmed
it with view to certain form, and, contrary
to our expectations, shoot breaks out at an
unexpected point, and assumes vigorous hab-
it, and robs all other parts, it would be evil
IDENTIFY unwise to tolerate this intruder until
it arrives at full growth, and then cut it away
Too many trees are thus managed, by the neg.
lect Of summer pruning or pinching. We
admit, however, that there are cases in which
the summer pruning, or entire looping OF or
cutting of considerable size, may be judicious
anu SAFE. pOr lueGithCCj III tho oaoo Va ho5
lected orchard trees, in luxurant state, with
dense heads, in which the fruit is deprived OF
air and light. In such cases, branches ma
be thinned out and cut the surface heals even
more rapidly and smoothely than at any other
time. But it is unsafe to produce any very
sensible elimination of foliage, as it arrests
the growth of the tree.
All pruning in the growing season tends te
arrest growth. Nurserymen know that Sigh
pruning of stocks before budding, will SO ar
rest growth as to make the bark adhere firm
ly; when, before the pruning, it lifted freely
1t Is only on this principle that most all prun
!. ing to promote fruitfulness, must be done at {
point of greater or less activity Of growth
g Late spring pruning is often resorted as
means Of subduing superabundant vigor
q and it has the same effect as root pruning to
i. certain extent Horiicluturist for Janna
Al