Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-07-18
AQtitnltural.
Remarks ON Summer Pruning.

technical words that, atnougn well un-
derstood among the initiated, has We
ryindeiinte meaning to The general read
er at least in its horticultural appli cation.
Pinchn, is mode of summer pru-
ming whereby robust shoots are checked,
ut an early stage of their growth, by re-
moving their extreme points with pinch
between the thumb and finger; this re-,
tards, for n time, their extension, and in>
duces growth in lower buds that would,
in all probability have remained dormant.
The process is applicable to all trees and
plants, and is the best method Of securing
any desired form of growth or shape of
plant, but it is now becoming more asso-
cated with the management of fruit and
the production of fruits, than it has been
heretofore and its advantages are slowly
being recognized
The great tendency to growth in health.
Y trees is towards the extreme points Of
branches, and the prevalent mode of win.
ter pruning, those of robust growth are
put back more or less severely. This is
done with view to encourage side or lat
eral growths, but it is a very imperfect
mode of gaining advantages which are
more readily secured by judicious, and
timely care in summer. A moments re-
Election will convince any one that it is al
best but negative practice to ALLOW
tree to make heavy growth of wood du-
ring summer and remove it With the pru.
ming knife In winter, thus sacrificing and
throwing away rs useless what has been
the great aim of the cultivatorio produce.
There are exceptions where winter pru-
ming will be absolutely necessity in
Young trees, for instance, it is evident
that healthy, vigorous and extended
system Of roots is Of paramount impor-
tance Sicklv, or weak growing trees,
will also be rendered more vigorous by
cutting the branches well down in winter
but when the tree is well established, it
it is perfectly practicable to maintain its
produ ctiveness, and induce it to assume
any desired form by pinching during the
season of active growth, and we hesitate
not to assert, that the highest point in
the culture and management Of fruit trees
will not have been reached, until this
principle has become fully recognized
and generally acted upon.
Even in an economical point of view
with reference to labor, it is obvious that
saving will be gained by rubbing off a
bud in June, instead Of having to cut O
branch in December Indeed the ampu-
tating of large branches is altogether OBJ
waited, and the nutriment which would
have been appropriated by such, is absorr
bed by the branches retained.
Trees vary so much in their habits of
growth and are so susceptible to the in,
fuences of soil and climate, that no deiin,
ite practical rnles can be given even by
the most expert, that wodld form safe
guide to the novice in tree culture. 1t i.
matter of individual experience and OBJ
servation no amount OF explanatory in
formation will convey more than the ne
cessity for tic recognition of the genera
principle, and that once firmly establish.
ed in the mind and the theory thorou gh
ly understood, the cultivator will readil,
acquire the discriminating know ledg,
which alway follows practical exper len C,
and close observation.
One of the rlost common errors in sum
mer pruning, and one that is also extreme
ly injurious, is that of delaying the opera
tion until growth has made consderabl
advance, and then in order to secure th
emission OF shoots at certain points sc
we're dimnution of active foliage is th
consequence. We have seen grapevine
thus treated Iallowed to proceed uncheclS
cd until the middle of July, and then
foot or more taken from the end of eacl
shoot, that were completely paralyze,
and the crop total failure, the berrie
remaining green until overtaken by frost
1t is such occurrences as the above tha
give rise to the many apparently conflict
ing statements that abound in our horti
cultural and agricultural literature
course of practice is undertaken withou
proper knowledge OF the system or tn
principles upon which it is founded, an
when failures occur, they are seldom at
tributod to their proper source.
The perfection ofsummer pruning then
consists in checking the growth of partic
ular shoots without diminishing the foil
age; when the extreme point OF bran cl
is bruised growth will be checked withou
the removal Of leaves. Nothing is NOR
certain than this, that the welfare of tn
crop depends upon full growth of heal
thy foliage Farmer and Gardener.