The Portland daily press., 1866-01-12
AMONG THE TREES.
pruntns-Treatment of woundsAEverereen
Trees, Il o.

Whatever in the garden or orchard can be
done during the busy days OF winter, is SO
much gained Tor the busy days of the milder
Seasons OF the year. OF winter work among
apple trees, the destruction of the eggs of cat
terpi!iars has been recommended in former
communication. al4a--
Pruning, in the annual routine of the man.
agement or an orchard, is also one OF the op-
erations which may be advantageously per-
formed In winter, but which is often either
wholly neglected or executed at an unseasona-
bic time and in an improper manner. Most
species of fruit trees which have been properly
cared for from the nursery, it Is true, may re-
ceive what little pruning they annually re-
quire at any time when there is leisure to at
tend to it. Still, good cultivators are very gen.
orally agreed that it is the best practice to
prune them every year, at the period OF their
Summer rest,' or during the last three weeks
in June, continuing the use of the knife there
after, as the occasion may offer itself, until the
vegetation ceases in the autumn. There is
also the best authority for performing that
heavy pruning needed by long neglected trees,
during wnat is called their 'winter rest" or
from the lal of the leaves to time when the
flow OF the sap in the spring is sufficient to
cause the wounds TO bleed. Until quite re-
Gently, most New England farmers who have
troubled themselves to trim their trees at all,
have selected the most unfavorabie season of
the year in which to perform this work, /. e.,
In March Or April, when the bark cracks off at
the edges OF the wounds, and the sap oozes
out and produces cdnker on the parts below.
From these considerations, the winter may
be recommended as an excellent time in which
to put apple, pear, and most other kinds Of
trees in complete order for the coming period
of growth. The season for performing the
work, however, is of less consequence than
the manner of operating. In the first place.
the saws, knives, axes, chisels, shears, or what
ever tool may be used, shotld be in the best
order Ior cutting. In the next place, after
mixing careful inspection of the subject to
be operated upon, and deciding iu general
way what ought to be done, cut off such limbs
as seem purely necessary to be removed, care
fully watchins the result of each ampuiation,
and attaining from cutting in all doubtful ca
se;. Never trim up" tree, unless for spec
ial reason which makes the operation justifia-
ble;, for low-healed, as compared with tall
trees, are less exposed to the wind, handsomer
and more accessible in pruning, gathering
furit, killing insects, &c.
The great general object aimed at should
be to form well balanced head, of good pro-
portions, without too much wood, and having
every branch so situated as to receive suff-
Gent amount of light and air. Pruning too
closely retards the healing of the wound; leay-
ing any projecting stumps encourages the
sprouting of troublesome suckers. In shorting-
~ soft or pliJhy plants, currants, grapes, &C.,
cut at least an inch above bud. Whine TRIM
ming the grape, keep constantly la mind that
the current years fruit will be borne on the
neac shoots which are to gro" out OF last gears
wood. Wherever saw or axe has been used,
pare the cut smooth, with sharp knife. In
fine, exercise judgment, and carefully watch
the results of operations, in order to learn by
experience.
me @ouuds made by pruning or other
wise, If not over half an inch in diameter, will
take care of themselves. Where the exposed
surface if larger, some protection ought to he
applied. Shenac dissolved in alcohol, makes a
good covering, but it is very liable TO crack Off
Grating wax answers good purpose; but
common paint Is most excellent coating,
easily applied, harmless to the bark if it hap
pens to be spread beyond the wound, and a.
most concealing it, if the paint be made of the
color OF tne bark. In fact, paint on the wound
of a tree performs precisely the same service
that it does on the bottom ola ship, or the sides
OF a no1se. BY many it is considered the best
m -. lal that can be applied to cover the scars
made In pruning.
-GoerJ .'5eA Trees are best trimmed during
tie Lowing season. Box-borders and hedges
whether evergreen or deciduous, should re-
ceive at least two clippings yearly, the one
ju5E after growth commences In the spring, the
other just before growth ceases in the autumn.
To abJGain from pruning a hedge through i'm
patience to have 1t attain certain height, de-
feats any ornamental purpose for which it may
have been designed. Smallish plants, set in a
deep generous soil and regularly trimmed, al
ways make the finest hedges.-[W Worcester
Spy. ..r..--.