The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1859-09-10
From the California Culturist.
Summer Pruning.


months, is matter which has long engaged
the attention Of pomologists; and yet dilectly
opposite opinions are maintained ia reference
to the utility of the practice Some contend
that tree should never be trimmed or cut
back, except during winter and spring, pre-.
vlous to the starting of the buds for the
seasons growth. But it is clear to our mind
that the good results expected to be derived
from the practice, depend entirely upon the
object sought. We would not prune tree
at all without motive; if the object is to
promote fruitfulness, is it not reasonable to
suppose that quite different system of prun-
ing may be applicable, and possibly at a
different season Of the year, from what would
be considered essential, if only the growth
of wood or formation of the tree was the
object sought?
From careful investigation of the sub
lect, corroborated by experiment. our opin-
ION is, that summer and autumn pruning
are, in California, essential to the successful
growing of some of the finer fruits, and high
y beneficial to others. We would not like
to be misunderstood, however, upon this
subject; we are opposed to the cutting back
of the bearing shoots of the vine or any
fruit'bearing tree, with view of benefting
either the size, flavor, or early maturity of
the fluit OF the present years growth: for,
as we have on several occasions stated, we
believe the extension and preservation of the
vine, and the limbs and leaves of trees be-
yond the fruit essential to its fullest growth
and perfection; but there is an object to be
attained beyond this; we must SO manage, if
possible, that we can rely upon a crop the
following year. Has summer pruning any,
thing to do with it; and if so, when should
it be performed3
Very many pomologists in California have
learned to their disappointment, how unre,
liable are some of our finest varieties of apri-
cots in the production of fruit. Various
modes of pruning and cutting ia are recon-
mended by authors and those engaged in
fruit culture-neary y all recommending, more
or less, the cutting back of the last years
wood in early spring. This to certain ex
tent secures the object, so far as there are
fruit buds below the point Of cutting; but it
will be noticed, upon trees that are not cut
back, that the few specimens produced in |
some seasons, are at or near the extreme
ends Of the last years wood Now it is evil |
dent that, had this wood been cut in for the |
purpose of giving symmetry to the tree, or
closer growth, the bearing buds of that year
would have been mostly or nearly removed
Then, whatever good might have resulted to
the tree, in respect to form or vigor, it was
at the expense Of the fruit crop, and left the |
tree in no more likely condition to produce
fYpit4 he. following season than before. 1t is
trees in California to producearieties of fruit
the extremity of their limbs, thereby expos
ing it to injury from the too direct action of
the suns rays, and the inability of the slen
der shoots to sustain their burden of fruit,
that we have based our system of summer
pruning or cutting in, to secure frultfulness,
at the same time that it equally secures the
symmetrical growth of the tree.
If Immediately after the apricot, peach or
plum has perfected it's fruit for the season,
the new growth which has extended beyond,
be cut back one half or two thirds its growth
much of the vigor Of the tree for the re-
mainder of the season, is expended in the
production cf fruit buds, as well upon the
main shoot as upon the laterals; and they
will be found to be far more numerously set
than though the whole growth had been
permitted to remain on. This, whilst it
secures the requisite amount of fruit buds
for the ensuing year, places it around the
base OF the shoot upon strong and fully
matured wood, capable moi only of sustain
ing the weight of the fruit, but supplying it
with abundant nutriment at the most critical
and important period Of the fruits growth,
the expanding of the blossom and the setting
of the germ of the fruit. All are familiar
with the habit of the apricot, as regards its
tendency to blossom without maturing the
fruit.
BY cutting back at the season we have
named, therefore, we not onl y secure the
setting of the fruit, but the vigor of the tree
is increased to degree amply sufficient to
maintain and perfect it, by removing large
part of what is really a surplus growth; for
we are satisfied there can be an excess OF
wood growth as we'll in fruit trees as the vine;
but knowledge of the best time to remove
such surpns-if it should be at all-is
matter deserving of careful consideration.
From well attested and careful experiment
for more than single year, we are satisfied
that very many of our fruit trees now chary
of bearing, would by a judicious summer
pruning, be made productive OF regular and
and abundant crops.
TAKE DRINK.-The drinking customs of
all nations are peculiar. The German loves
to sit out Of doors of an afternoon and i'm
bibe bis thin lager. The airy Frenchman
frequents the gay saloon and quafs sour
caret and water and thinks it pleasant
The heavy Briton's delight is to haunt the
tap-room and steep himself in beer, sitting
long at the pewter. How different the
American mode. Two acquaintance meet:
Al Ton, hox ara rona MI'a lca a drink2o