Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-08-08
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ue,,.rks on summer Pruning.


cultural literature, and is one of those tech
uical words that, although well understood
among the Initiated. has very indefinite
meaning to the general reader, at least IN Its
horticultural application
Pinching is mode of summer pruning
whereby robust shoots are checked, atan ear
ly stage of their growth, by removing their
ex treme points with pinch between the
thumb and finger; this retards, for time,
their extension, aud induces growth IN lower
buds that would, in all probability have re-
mained dormant The process is applicable
to all trees and plants, an is the best meth
cd of securing any desired form OF growth or
shape of plant. but it is now becoming more
associated with the management ct fruit aud
the production of fruits, than it has been
heretofore, and its advantages aIe slowly be-
ing recognized.
The great tendency to growth IN healthy
trees is towards the extreme points OF braa-
ches, and the prevalent mode of winter pru-
ming. those of robust growth are put back
more or less severely. This is done with
view to encourage side or lateral growths, but
it is very imperfect mode of gaining adyan-
tages which are more readily secured by Ju-
dicious, and timely care in summer. A mo
meuts reflection will convince any one that 1t
at best negative practice to allow tree to
make a heavy growth of wood during sum-
mer and remove 1t with the pruning-knife IN
winter, thus sacrificing aud throwing away as
what has been the great aim of the cultivation
to produce There are exceptions where win
ter pruning will be absolutely necessity; IN
yUuug trees for instance, 1t Is evident that a
healthy, vigorous and extended system OF
roots is of paramount Importance. Sickly, or
weak growing trees, will also be rendered
more vigorous by cutting the branches well
down in winter, but when the tree is well es-
tablished, it is perfectly practicable to main
tain its productiveness, aud induce it to as
sumo 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 be-
come 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 bud in June
instead of having to cut branch in Decem-
ber Indeed the amputating of large bran
ches is altogether obliated, and the nutriment
which would have been appropriated by such
is absorbed by the branches retained
Trees vary so much in their habits of growth
and are so susceptible to the influences of soil
and climate, that no definite practical rules
can be given even by the most expert, that
would form safe guide to the novice in tree
culture 1t is matter of individual expert
cnce and observation; no amount of explana.
tory information will convey more than the
necessity for the recognition of the genera
principle, and that once firmly established il
the mind, the theory thoroughly understood
the cultivator will readily acquire the discrin
mating knowledge which always follows prac
teal experience and close observation.
One of the most common errors in sum
mer pruning, and one that is also extremel
injurious, ID lud. VI tH0 NSiaJlu thC OPOid
tion until growth has made considerable ad
vance, and then in order to secure the ennis
sion of shoots at certain points severe dim
mutton of active foliage is The consequence
We have seen grape vines thus treated, a
lowed to proceed unchecked until the middl
of July, and then a foot or more taken froI
the erd of each shoot, that were completed
paralyzed and the crop total failure, th
berries remaining green until overtaken b
frost.
1t is such occurrences as the above th;
give rise to the many apparently confictin
statements that abound in our horticulture
and agricultural literature. A course of prs
tice is undertaken without proper know
edge of the system or the principles upC
which it is founded, and when failures occt
they are seldom attributed to their propC
source.
The perfection of summer pruning thel
consists in checking the growth of partcu
shoots without diminishing the foliage; wht
the extreme point of a branch is bruise
growth will be checked with the removal
leaves Nothing is more certain than hi
that the welfare of the crop depends upon
full growth of healthy foliage. Farmer Al
Gardner.
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