Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-06-07
les VOLUME %, NO. 20.
From the New Eng hnd Farmer.
Thumb and Finger Pruning.

Now 10 the precise season. cay from June
18th to July 10Th. to perform one Of she
most important operations in the apple or
chard; that Of removing the young shoots
which started in the spring. and have made
q growth oi from one to 'II inches 10 leng,
These shoots start out mostly on the upper
side Of the large ranches. grow with great
rapliiy. and II no, arrested early, form .
part OF the tree which i, is the most danger.
Gus TO cut Oh. II they are allowed 10 grow
two or three years. they are sometimes an
inch through at their base. and cannot then
be removed by saw or knife without leaving
an ugly sear upon the tree. and the wound
becomes q dangerous one. unless made when
the u-e :. 1, . ,s'or-.is physiological ~r-
di,ion. and II u treated with proper 'kill.
! I, Is natural fo' apple tree. to throw or
thick bu.hy head. Whoever saw one
tha, 'prang from the D>ed IN tho pasture.
and tha, had never been I,hioned by the
hand Of man, that had not Laen fashioned
= by the hand Of man. that prssent,d any 9th
er iorm' This original impress seems to
retain something Of It's power even after tho
tree has been buddsd or grated, 50 that u
requires tho constant watehiulnsss Of the
B orchardist to train his trees into those iorns
that make them the most convenient Tor cul-
/ ti,ation. and for tho harvesting OF thsir
fruit. In order 10 do this IL must be re-
membered that oil our budded or grated
tree. are IN an artificial condition they
have lo-, much Of their original character
ny the process Of moulding them 10 the will
and purpose. Of man. 1t just 90 with the
peach, plum. potato, celery, and many 9th.
or plants. In changing them " We have.
{ they have probably lost something OF their
I native hardihood and vigor. AMI will al.
4 Ways require more attention than trees IN
2 their natural condition.
3 The summer pruning i'a part OF the ar
,Itcial process.
, There should Do little u.e for the saw or
. knife in an orchard los than forty years
old, unle., in case OF accident; after that
time. or perhaps ten years later some OF
! the limh- begin TO die. and then thess tools
become necessary. The pruning should be
PC riormcd when 1t can D. done with The
thumb and finger, and now Is the time 10
do IL. Pass through tho orchard. examine
all the limbs that start directly from the
main stem Of the tree. and wherever young
shoot. ere found rub them oG. being careful
20 take them 80 close as TO prevent an at.
ter growth. They should all come on, with
= single exception, VIZ
II the tree by accident, un-killfal prun.
Ing. force OF wind. or any other cau>s. has
io., proper balance. or IL the top 10 open
and ioo much exposed. then leave one OF
these young shoots, and train II 10 occupy
the very place you wish 70 have oiled.
By thi. process. Of pruning. yoa will rhr'.
" have need 70 use thu knife the trees
may be- hroush, up smooth and ~i'h 'ym.
rn.,,ical form. and they will not b- fall OF
Internal sound. q weaken then, AMI has.
ten their decay m later years
l., surge upon the young orchar''''.
at least. 70 try ,hi, 'thoi SOW, and Il tho
kniie and saw am necessary, SOW is tho
time to Use guom.