Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-03-28
TAKE CARE THE FRUIT TREES


est Of farmers and fruit growers requires then,
to examine the condition of their fruit trees,
and remove those portions, that may tend TO re-
ard the growth, or inure the quality OF fruit, In
anticipation, we .recommendrto their consid-
Grafton the following timely hints, and useful
suggestions from the Country Gentleman, OF
Feb, 9th ult. ~ t.D1l''ei ~ ~ - .'.'V y
During this and the succeeding month, the
frnit trees should be examined, and whatever
pruning is necessary, got through with. Dead
or decaying branches should invariably be cut
out low enough to secure live BRANCHES, and II
the limb be large one, il is better to trim 1t
off after the saw with sharp knife or Ratchet.
The saw is but poor pruning instrument al
best, without trimming after it, especially on the
outside Of the wound, as it will scarcely ever
heal oyer, whereas, it the BRANCHES are cut with
sharp instrument, and the tree healthy, the sur
rounding bark will soon cover the wound and
thus avert decay. The object in pruning varies
with the different sorts Of fruit. oIgea iat11
"Apples and pears, where allowed full scope,
require thinning merely of weak and cross
branches, and all spray cut clean out in the body
of the tree. Dwarf and espalier trees require
somewhat different pruning, but most ofwh'ch
should be performed in the summer, all that is
required at this season being to shorten in the
unproductive shoots Of established trees within
two or three inches Of their length, taking
care to preserve all the fruit-buds, which are
very readily know by their round and plump
form. tr., 3, .5.g't,t slI O.. .s9e...ta,li t.5f z.
"Peach trees are much benefited by pruning,
as, if commenced while young, the tree will al
ways remain bushy and "close,' while, if left
to itself, it will become, in "a short tirne an ugly
Struggling tree with few bearing shoots at the
top. Gu. out all weak spindIy growth, except
where wanted to I'll up vacancy, and shorten
in the leading shoot of each branch. We pre-
fer doing this to shortening the branches we in
tend to leave. If the tree is inclined TO be
crowded, a third of the young wood may be Ia
ken out with advantage. 1t is better to leave
the pruning Of peach trees till all danger OF
excessive cold is past, ms the fruit buds, in
extreme cases. are killed by the frost, and where
ever this occurs, pruning must be done accord
ingly.
"The native grape vines, that have remained
uncovered and unpruned, may be done at any
time. The fruit will come much finer and suffer
less from mildew and other pests, if ample space
is left for the development Of the foliage. Un-
der no pruning should the branches be nearer
each other. after they are done than Is inches
three feet is better.
"Currants and gooseberries should also be
pruned; established trees of the red aud white
currants require the young wood well pruned
back and gooseberries, The last years wood
thinned considerably, leaving just young wood
enough TO be free from crowGing during sum-
mer. r.T ..r . y
"The black currant is much neglected in this
country To grow it to perfection REQ uires a
moist soil, very rich in pruning, it only requires
the branches ihinned, and occasionally the older
ones taken OUT .3 .e4lr. srw 3, .tI