Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-08-14
From the Wisconsin Farmer. |
Pruning.

1t is fact we'll established in tn
theory and practice of intelligent an,
careful .nurserymen, that pruning
must be performed during the season
OF growth after the growth has fair
ly commenced in spring, or before il
actually ceases IN autumn not toe
early while the sap is so watery as tC
flow from the wounds, and cause quick
decay, or too late, or in winter, after
the descending sap has hardened
In other words, pruning should be
done when there is active circulation,
and when the sap contains enough
albumen to fill up the pores of the cut
surface, rendering it almost indestruc-
tble.
Again, in winter pruning, the cut
surface is expanded by the frost, and
the watery sap which flows first in
spring, as well as the water in the air,
only hastens decay. Under the above
limitation the object sought should
determine the time.
1st. Early pruning to give form.
"a. Summer pruning for fruit and
early maturity.
3D.. Late pruning to remove surplus
wood.
Earl y pruning the month
OF leafing-is Of the first Importance,
as then the form and style Of the tree
is determined for the season, or for
ali future, and if followed up during
the season by rubbing off young
shoots as they appear where not
wanted, the years pruning IS easily
performed, whereas if this is neglect.
ed, next years labor may be fully
equal to the present.
When the style of the tree is well
attained, it is very little labor to do
the annual pruning, if done properly
and in time.
Summer root pruning, for fruit, is
little practiced, but is applicable to
vigorous trees, where the obvious
tendency is to put off fruiting day
beyond reasonable expectations or
to force quite young trees to form
fruit buds. 1t is performed with
sharp spade, cutting off most of the
large roots, as far as possible from the
tree, but without disturbing all of
the small roots. This check of the
circulation will cause a development
Of fruit buds, if performed during Au-
gust, or early in September, when in
full 9rOlCth but near maturity Of foliage
If too early, it will simply check
growth and if too late, only hasten
maturity, and ripen wood and foliage;
but at the right time, will Sc retard
the circulation, that the tree will de-
velop its abundant juices into fruit
buds. II the tree willis badly under
this treatment it must be watered, or
some of the foliage removed. Those
who have little experience in this
mode should proceed cautiously
E'drly autumn root pruning to hasten
maturity is an excellent and sure way
Of producing we'll ripened wood, that
viii resist the extremes of our win
ters.
Though not practicable at all times
and places, it would greatly aid in
securing in our young fruit trees an
early maturity of wood. This may,
and should generally be attained by
conditions ofsoil aspect and varieties.
But taking the fact as it now is, mil
lions Of trees are planted in too rich,
moist, sheltered locations, where ar
tificial means must be used to check
the late growth peculiar to our warm
western autumns, or disease and death
will continue their appalling ravages
in th3 future as in the past.
This can be performed as for sum-
mer pruning, but few days later,
when the several roots will not have
time to start new growth Of spon-
gioles and top shoots.
Late pruning, to remove surplus
wood again after the season growth
is nearly complete, large limbs can
be removed, or any other heavy pru-
ming Of surplus wood. In fruit trees
it is often desirable to remove old,
and part, Wy decayed limbs, which
have been in fruit, whose Groom is
better than their presence" the half
of badly forked, or crotched or double
trees, such as are to be found in al
most every orchard as the result Of
neglect.
The annual cutting back of small
fruits, grapevines and Towering
shrubs, all come under this head.
The juices being very rich in woody
secrotiOns tho wounds will hardan
and resist decay, the top has done its
seasons work in fruiting and devel-
oping roots, and without fear, the
gardener may prune away what will
be wanted no more,
This latter pruning should not be
neglected until freezing begins, for as
before intimated, neUer prune ,eken the
frost is in, but before the foliage is
entirely gone from the tree. J. g p.
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