Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-01
Root.Pruning OF Fruit Trees.

The following comments on this sub
iect we find in the Western Rural, of
Chicago, and we have no question of
the value of the hints given When
tree has produced nothing but wood for
several years, the tendency may be
checked by iudicious roct-pruning. This
is done by opening trench around the
tree at a suitable distance from the
trunk The distance must depend on
the size of the tree, for the roots extend
nearly as far as the branches. The trench
should be from one foot to two and
half feet deep, according to the size of
the tree, in order to admit of the inspec-
ton of all the lateral roots. Some per-
sons cut the vertical or tap-roots, by
striking a spade under the tree, but it is
not advisable TO cut these roots, as they
are anchors which hold the tree firm in
its place In opening a trench around
tree, che should be taken not to hack
the roots; they should be cut clean with
a sharp knife, making a draw-cut, the
same as when pruning the branches.
Much damage is sometimes done TO trees
in root,pruning, by hacking the roots with
a spade or cutting them too close TO the
trHnk.
The best time for this kind of pruning is
in the fall, when vegetation is suspended.
1t may be done in the spring before yege-
tation commences Some Orchardists think
that August is the most appropriate month
for this work, but the greatest number pre-
fer to operate in the fall, or early in the
spring. Some persons do not open trench,
but merely cut circle around the tree
with a spade--a very imperfect method of
performing the operation, as a great many
of the roots cannot be reached in that way,
and such as are reached, are hacked, in
stead of being cut clean.
When a tree has been properly root
pruned, its disposition TO grow wood, at the
the expense of the fruit, will be efectually
checked, and its energies directed TO the
promotion Of fruit buds The tree, having
been deprived Of the greater number of its
fbrous roots by this method of pruning,
will require the application OF manure to
ennDle the Oiu roofs WHICH EelnaiH NAtulH
the circle, and the new ones which spring
out where the cuts have been made, to sus-
tain the growth of the tree and formation
of fruit A root pruned tree, without the
application of manure, generally produces
profusion Of unproductiye blossoms, or
large number of very small fruit.
1t is a good plan to fill up the circular
trench which has been made around the
tree, with compost of such manures as
are best suited to the variety Of fruit that
is being operated on. Broken bones, char
coal, lime, ashes, plaster, poultry-mauure,
common salt, bits Of leather, dead leaves
and twigs, etc, will be found very bene-
fetal TO nearly all kinds of fruit trees
Barnyard manure generally produces a
rank growth of wood, but is not well cal
culated to encourage the growth of fruit.
Trees heavily mulched with barpyard ma
nure seldom ripen their wood before frost,
and on this account are liable 10 damage
from the rigors of winter We have seen
the productiveness of gooseberry and cur
rent bushes greatly increased by root pru-
ming, and filling the trunks with the WE'LL
rotted remains of old hot beds"