The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-06-09
4qrunltural.
A Chapter for the Season.
ON PRUNING

This operation is practiced for various
purposes, principally the following: Pro.
noting growth and bulk; lessening bulk;
modifying form; promoting the formation
Of blossom buds; enlarging fruit; adjus-
ting the stem and branches to the roots;
renewal Of decayed plants or trees; and
the removal or cure of diseases. 1t pro-
ceeds upon the physiological principle
that if you remove a portion Of the tree,
the remaining portion will be favorably
affected by it The particular mode of
the operation, and the time, will depend
upon the object had in view.
Pruning, 20 promote the growth OF the
tree, is the simplest and first object, and
is performed by the removal Of all the
weaker lsterals, that the sap destined for
their nourishment may be thrown into
the stronger ones. The shortening in
method proceeds on the same principle,
cutting out the weaker twigs and reno
wing from one fourth to one third of the
former years growth.
Pruning, for lessening bulk, is chiefly
employed by nurseryme to keep unsold
trees of saeable size, and is performed by
hea ling down.
Pruning. for giving form to the tree
Every troe has type or form of it's own,
and every species and variety Of species
has also its typical structure and form.-
These natural forms should ever be con.
suited and kept in the eye Of the garden.
er or cultivalor. It being seldom desira
bic to alter these essentially by pruning,
but to modify and promote, as far as
| nnseitIo tho ,t,,..l t.,
case superfuous branches are 10 be cut
oil. and those that would tend 20 mar
the regularity Of form, either removed
entirely or brought into shape.
In pruning, 20 form standards, the first
: thing, upon receiving your trees from the
nursery, is, to decide whether you will
t cultivate with a tall or short stem; and
the next, how you would form or modify
1t. its head, remembering constantly that
: whatever shape it has tendency to as.
J sumo, that shape must not be counterac.
r ted by the pruner.
: The points Of the extsrnol branches
n especially for standard trees-should eve
a rywhere be rendered thin and pervou
y TO 'be hight, so ,ha, the internal part,
of the tree may not be wholly shaded b,
the external; the light should readily per
= wade the top. Large branches should
= readily be topped off, disturbing. as il
does, the balance Of the flow Of sap and
2 causinga wilderness Of water spouts to
take their place, thus leaving scars not
/. readily healed, often causing the speedy
decay Of the tree. When such pruning
is found necessary, from previous neglect
to prune, the cut-wbich must be made
as smooth as possible-should be cover.
ed with composition. such as is used il,
grating, to keep out the waters When
tie pruner has judiciously executed his
work, by taking out all weak and crow
ded branches; and removed due pro.
portion Of the former years growth, an
directed, every part Of the tree, internal
as well rs external, will be productive Of
fruit.
Pruning, to promote the formation Of
blossom-buds, depends much on the ma
tnre Of the tree. The peach, for exam
pie, produces its blossom on the proceed.
ing years wood; consequently, in pruning
the peach, your object must be TO have a
regular distribution Of the young wood
over every part Of it. This nature ad.
justs better than art,.and all the pruner
can do is. to observe in his pruning
natures developments,an then act accor-
dinghy.
In :he present entecbled condition Of
the peach. from the attack o: the worm
it should be shortened in yearly from
one third to one half of its new wood, in
o'der to give vigor and fruitfulness.
In apples, pears, plums. cherries aud
ounces, the blossoms are chiefly produced
on short protuberanches, or spurs, formed
along the sides of the shoots. In these,
to promote healthy fruiting, it is necessa-
ry to cut out the weaker branches, and
often shorten the ex,remities Of the stron-
ger.
Pruning, for adjusting the stem and
branches 10 lie root, is applicable chiefly
to transplsnted trees, and is Ri important
and essential operation. II the roots
have been broken or bruised. the extent Of
the injury is TO be estimated, and in this
particular no directions can be given that
will be available to the experienced
Consequently such must, for time, per-
form this operation under Instructions
The problem before the pruner may be
, thus malhematieaiIy stated: AS the
whole quantity Of branches which it now
has or had, 80 is the quantity of roots,
. which it now has, to the Quantity Of top
: which it ough, TO baye. la general, bear
ing wood and weak shoots should be re-
Q mo we'd; and the stronger lateral and up
right shoots. with leaf or shoot eyes, left.
Pruning for the removal Of disease.
: must proceed upon different principle.
: Here it may be necessary to remove whole
branches, the entire head, single shoots,
g or merely the diseased spot in the bark
8 or wood. Care should be taken to ascer.
/, tain the full extent Of the injary or dis
d ease, and amputauon be directed accord
q | in0Iy