Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-07-13
AGRICULTURAL.

THUMB AND FINGER PRUNING I
Now is the precise season, say from
June 18th to July 10Th, to perform one
Of the most important operations IN the
apple orchard that of removing the
Young shoots W hich started in the
spring, and have made growth of from
one to six inches in length. These shoots
start out mostly on the upper side OF the
large branches, grow with great rapldity,
and if not arrested early, form that part
of the tree which is the most dangerous
part TO cut of. If they are allowed to
grow two or three years. they are some
times an inch through at their base, and
cannot then be removed by saw or knife /
without leaving an ugly scar upon the
tree, and the wound becomes a dangerous
one, unless made when the tree is in a
favorable physiological condition, and it is
treated with proper skill.
1t is natural for apple trees to throw
up a thick, bushy head. Whoever saw
one that sprang from the seed in pas
ture, and that had not been fashioned by
the hand Of man, that presented any
other form ? This original impress
seems to retain something Of its power
even after the tree has been budded or
grated, so that it requires the constant
watchfulness of the orchardist to train his
trees into those forms that makes them
the most convenient for cultivation, and
for the harvesting Of their fruit. In
order to do this it must be remembered
that all our budded or grated trees are
in an artificial condition they have lost
most of their original character by the
process OF moulding them to the will and
purposes of man. 1t is just so with the
peach, plum, potato, celery, and many
other plants. In changing them as we
have, they have probably lost something
Of their native hardihood and vigor, and
will always require more attention than
trees in their native condition.
The summer pruning is part Of the
artificial process.
There should be little use for saw Of
knife in an orchard less than forty year
old, unless in case of accident; after tina
times-Or perhaps ten years later, some Q
the limbs begin to die, and then thes
tools become necessary. The prunin
should be performed when il can be don
with the thumb ard finger,-and now
the time to do it. Pass through the OIL
chard, examine all the limbs that stal
directly from the main stem of the tire,
and wherever young shoots are found ru
them off, being careful to take them s
close as to prevent an after growth
They should all come off, with sing
exception, viz
If the tree, by accident, unskiliul pr
ming, force of wind, or any other caus
has lost a proper balance, if one side h
more branches than another, or if the tt
is open, and too much exposed, then lea
one Of these young shoots, and train
TO occupy the very place you wished
have filed.
BY this process Of pruning, you W
rarely need to use the knife; the tire
may be brought up smooth, and W
symmetrical form, and they will not
full of internal wounds, to weaken the
and hasten their decay in later years.
Let US urge upon the young orcha
list, at least, to try this method NOW, a
if the knife and saw are necessary, N,
is the time to use them-N E. Farm
To KEEP TIRES TIGHT ON WHEE
The following if reliable, will prc
valuable. A correspondent of the Sob
srR Planter says:
e" / ironed a wagon some years ago
my own use, and before putting on
tires, filled the fellies with linseed
and the tires have worn out, and ne
loose. ! ironed a buggy for my own |
seven years ago, and the tires are r
as tight as when put on. My method
filing the fellies with oil is as follows
use long, cast-iron oil-heater, made
the purpose; the oil is brought to b
ing heat, the wheel is placed on 81
so as to hang in the oil one hour e
The timber should be dry, as or
timber will not take oil. Care should
taken that the oil be not made no
heat, in order that the timber be
burnt. Timber filed with oil is not
oeptble to water, and the timber is m
more durable. l was amused. some I
ago, when told blacksmith HOY
keep tires tight on wheels, by bis tel
me it was a profitable business to tigf
tires, and the wagon maker will say
profitable to him to make and rel
wheels, but what will the farmer ,