The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-08-03
agrrultural.
Tho Pruning OF Fruit Troes, &c
TIE ArrLE-


The majority Of apple trees cultivated IN
cardeas, are of the Kind frequently termed
dwarf standards. When the young graft
has just been planted, whatever length 1t
may be, or whether posserscd OF only one
shoot or two, it is necessary to prune them
back to about six or eight bucs. In the sec
ond year, IL successful, the tree will have at
least eight or nine young shoots, some well
placed. and some crossing each other. At
this time, pruning is TO DO pcrformed with
care. Five or six shoots well placed-that
is. forming kind Of circle, or 50 disposed as
TO leave distinctly open space in the midst
of the tree when all are pruned away but
thcse--are 20 be sclected to remain. This
being done, and the eye well determined on a
nics form for the future tree, the waste shoots
may be cut away. observing TO leave nearly
half an inch of the base Of each shoot. The
selected shoots are now to be shortened,
and IS q general rule nearly one-half the
length is pruned away-thc object being,
under this dwaring system, to cause the
ioxg part Of the tree 10 develop an abun-
dance Of spurs, or the rudiments OF spurs.
If the operation Of shortening DO dispens-
cd with, some Of the gross shoots will soon
take the lead, and the tree become unwield-
iy. The second years pruning being thus
carried cut, the tree in the course OF the
next summer will have completed its full
complement Of shoots; and after another Sc
lection in the next pruning season, shorten
ing and thinning out will be the principal
requisites for the next year or two.
In selecting shoots to be retained, the short
jainted aud brown looking shoots are to be
preferred to those which are pale, succulent
and long jointed. In shortening the shoots
that are To remain, cut hack TO a bud which
promises to extend the tree rather than TO
coutraet il, uule. the tree be Of very
straggling habit. Let the shortening back
be less every season after the third years
pruning, for the trees by that period would
be thrown into shape, and the lower spurs
being in great measure formed, there will
yearly be less tendency to produce gross or
barren shoots, especially when an occasional
rootpruuing is given.
The apple, as also all other fruits which
occasionally grow oycr-luxuriant, is thought
10 be much benefited by root-pruning; q
judicious performance OF this operation will
cause any kind of fruit tree to produce bios
som buds, provided that the case is mere
ly one OF oyer-luxuriance, and that the tree
Is healthy in constitution. With regard to
the apple, the process should not be COM
meaced until the tree has been established Tor
NJ ieAs, three years; to commence earlier
wouiu ne roobiny the tree OF much nccesary
sine. BESIDES this, " apply it to young trees
whicn nave never attained considerable
amount ot iuhunAnee, will tsnd To produce
premature old age. Ii is on the latter pr;n-
ciple that the Chinese produce their famou.
miniature trees. The roots need not DO cut
away in q continuous line, but the .pade NAV
BE- introduced at intervals. II Is To be borne
in mind that any given root supplies zap To
the whole tree. and does not alone influence
sny particular part. Ii requircs, Of cour-e,
iittle Judgment to determine what propor-
ton Of the roots 10 cut away.
TIE coosKBKRRr.
The cuttings Of the goosebcrry should bs
a strong as possible, and about twelve "a
fourteen inches long. All the buds should
be pruned clean away, with the exception oi
the topmost four, previously TO planting.
The cuttings may be put in shady border,
in rows foot apart, the cuttings being about
si1 inches apart; IL Is well TO let them have
.oue spare room, ss the plants will thus be
stouter.
by the nszt autumn there will be at least
TWO good shoots on each cutting; these two
VIII DO enough, and they must be pruned
down TO about four eyes or buds on each
shoot. Unlcs particularly wanted for plant
ing in their final location. they are 70 remain
another season in their cutting beds, when