Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-11-09
AarifnIturaI and 4rartital,
Fall a againit summer Pruning.

Where so many modes prevail no stan
dard is established-the secret of nature
is not yet revealed.
What, then, are we to do in such {
case? We can but adopt the most intel
ligent views, and leave the future expert
ment the solution of the subject. Let u'
look little into the matter, and see wha
has been done. s,.-
| 1t is well known that summer pruning
| is injurious to the constitution of the tree
but favorable to fruit: the life of the tree
must be measurably sacrificed to produce
fruit-for it is not disputed, we believe
that tree is short-lived in proportion tc
the hurt it receives, whether that hurt is
from the frost, insects or the pruning
knife, or from some other cause.
Trees vary in longevity in different
sections. Climate, no doubt, has prin-
cipal influence here. But the different in
fiuences are additionally brought to bear
upon the tree, and these undoubtedly
shorten its duration.
A healthy tree, in healthy situation,
and under favorable circumstances, will
live its full term in an indigenous state.
We have not the data to determine what
that term is with regard to fruit trees in a
wild state; but taking analogy, it must be
longer than the term of cultivated trees.
There is quicker development and greater
growth under pressure, but always-if we
reason from analogy-at the expense of
constitutional power.
Now, whether it is best to hasten this
growth and increase by it the amount and
quality of the fruit, realizing in a less time
what would accrue in longer period, is
the question. 1t will depend upon the
comparative time and amount. This is
not vet determined. Yet, we think suf-
fcient is known to satisfy the inquiring
mind that a good growth, good form,
healthy and vigorous, fine, improved (and
therefore increased in amount and qual-
ity, is preferable even at the expense Of
time-for the loss of time can well be
supplied in new growth of trees. This
course will give good trees and good fruit.
Let there be three lives instead of two. 1t
takes but few years to fill the interval of
infancy. The gain in amount and quail
ity of fruit, and in attraction to the eye,
will more than counterbalance the small
loss in the interval (of infancy.)
But, all things considered, what is the
most profitable mode of treatment, par
ticularly in pruning, to realize the greatest
amount of benefit? 1t is not easy satisfac-
torly to answer this question. There is
sufficient, however, we think, to decide us
in the course we are to pursue. Summer
pruning has its advantages and its disad-
vantages. 1t hurts the tree, and it bene-
fits it 1t hurts it by the shock the tree
receives, especially when the pruning is
severe; It sometimes kills tree. On the
other hand, not only are the wounds healed
over the better, but there is an increase of
the fruit-growing tendency, or diversion
of the sap into the channel of maternity.
The fruit is there at least improved and
augmented. And this. what is wanted,
fruit, improved and augmented. The tree
has, no doubt, few years cut off from its
lease of life; but it has more bushels of
apples to show than could possibly have
been crowded into those few years.
Are we not, then, the gamers by sum-
mer pruning, which of all others makes
the .neatest and best bearing trees! We
think so. We advise it. Only avoid too
great severity. Begin early, ,"hen the
tree is youHg. Much may be done by
thumb and finger-much to favor the
growth and health of the tree. Still, lop-
ping off branches is advisable-advisable
to get up check and divert the wood
growing current into fruit-bearing. Thumb
and-fnger pruning will not do this; or in
less degree, varying in the various fruits,
the pear being most susceptible.
Pruning in the fall gives tree chance
to adjust itself to the new condition by the
gradual progress of the flow of the sap in
the spring, and its slight action during the
winter. In half-torpid state, the shock
is not so severely felt as when the tree is
in full vigor. Severer pruning, therefore,
may be indulged in the fall or winter or
early spring, though the fall is probably
the best. Indeed, we would recommend
large limbs to be taken off in the fall
the wound to be salved over. But this is
not necessary, save in neglected trees. All
small-imbed pruning we would do in
summer, when the trees are in foliage
any time after the blosoming period for
several weeks ensuing. June is the best
month above 40 deg. north latitude; but
May will do south of that. The advan-
tages of thus early pruning will secure the
full seasons growth without the interven-
ton of winter to rot the. wound. 1t will
give it chance to heal over with little
injury to the wood. Summer pruning
thus gives US shorter lived trees, but more
fruit and better-better, as the full force
of the tree is engaged in the work, devel-
oping what flavor there is, and the quail
ity and nutritiveprinciple. This is exactly
what is wanted-as it is for this that the
tree is grown. There is not that dark
sweep of branches, as in the case of fall
pruning; but there are neat limbs, and a
gentle, delicate tree-tender with matern-
ity-bending under its weight, the weight
of the good 1t does, and all Tor you as a
reward. Such tree will be liked = it is
easy to form all attachment. We have
such, with their crimson fruit, as bright
and clean as ifjust out of the mould; slen-
der branches, dropping, oppressed-fo
whom is all this For him who has reared
it and nutured it.
This is a young tree blushing. 1t is
perfectly healthy-not rugged; with slen-
der waxen limbs, and with fruit large, flat
(wheeled), and a red strawberry that is
not surpassed by the most brilliant of
FLOWERS. Here the aesthetic comes in for
large share. A rough, dark-colored, over
grown tree, even if well dotted with fruit
would not have the interest that the little
tender female at its side has We have
grown this rugged tree for variety. We
have otbars- SnitzenbarCs with hioh