Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-06-12
farm, Garafn & 9unseiIoid.
PRUNING.
nr 1onN H. long IsLaNp.

SOIL anu ChIuSt6f tndL a - pam ~ 'ASAS eA'N
ory viii be adapted to all conditions and
tastes Of the planter. Add to this too many
of onr horticultural writer's are mere theoristi
own not an acre, and have no practical ex-
,er;euee. and their ideas often derived from
reading foreign publications that form the
diversity of soil and climate Of Europe are
not well suited TO this country. You may
ask If mere theory is worth so little why does
the writer put his pen to paper. The reply
IA very much like the Friends say when they
have performed a religious duty, "done for
the peace and satisfaction of my otca mind. "
But about pruning we win take up the ap-
ple 6rst Some writer's viii tell you to cut
of all the limbs half way when transplanted;
we say not, for if you do the head viii be
filed with treble the number of shoots that
are waHted to grow, and next year yoa will
have to cut most Of them off. Apple trees
differ SO much in the form of their growth
that no rule but good Judgment will apply
Some, if they have plenty of good roots, will
only need thinning out all the inner branches
and twigs, leaving only three or four main
limbs, such as you wish to remain and fora
good head. We believe the buds Of las
years growth are much the strongest on all
trees, possess more vitality and 1t is unwise
to cut all the young wrowth off as some do.
Having SO trimmed the branches with q
reference to the future shape ofthe tree when
first planted, 1t will need but little trimming
again in several years, except to remove
Young suckers. if any come. Apple trees
should be so shaped by prunings that per-
son can climb with ease through the branches
near the body and take his basket with him.
This is the ideal ola perfectly shaped tree.
A tree can be trimmed too much for its
health and longevity, too many of the little
spray and small branches cut away, but it is
seldom done. Cherry trees, We generally let
alone with the exception of properly shaping
the head when first planted and always having
reference to the number and size of the roots.
And we may remark 1t is better to stake and
tie trees when planted, if deficient in roots,
than to mutilote the top OF fruit trees too
much. In pruning ornamental deciduous
trees, we should be governed by the shape
we wish them to take IF we want thick
bushy trees, that viii give dense shade
around the dwelling, then we should cut bach
severely. The American Elm may be- trim
med to bare pole and so may the Naples
except the Norway which IS dense enough
naturally without any assistance from art
But if they are for avenues or for street plant
ing, where quick, upright growth iswanted
then thinning ont the inner branches near the
trunk is all that is necessary. Where trees
are liable to have their branches torn anl
split By the high winds, like the White oi
Silver leaf Maple, forming them into rouut
heads by cutting one.half back all the leadin,
branches when young will obyiate this troub
lie. If we wish our Larches to grow tall anC
vide spreading, We may cut out the small
branches; but we think the beauty of the
Larch, especially the European, which is 81
far superior to the American that the lattel
should never be planted for ornament, is il
its compactness Of growth. A Larch tha
has been trimmed back to oue-half of it
length of branches, when tfansplanted, is on
of the most beautiful trees for three month
we have seen. Evergfeens should be purn
ed by the nurseryman be1ore they are sold
and then the planter will have little else to d
but take good care of them. While we ad
nire the lofty head Of the deciduous shad
tree with its widespread sweeping branches
neat, compact evergreen suits most person
best. We Ike symmetry of shape more thai
we care for exuberance of growth or grea
size. An occasional White Pine lifting it
head above the surrounding trees is a strikin
object in a landscape, but we want but few il
our yards. The neat dark green of the Bal
sam Fir, short lived though it be, will caus
it still to be planted for immediate effect
They, il planted in moist soils, and the lead
ing top-shoot cut of, will retain their beaut
many years,
Few are aware how evergreen trees ca
be changed in form and habit by judioiou
use Of the shears, The tendency of the Fl
is to run up tall and lose its lower branches
By cutting of the leading shoot occasionally
to prevent this habit, it is a tree of beaut
quite desirable. The Norway Spruce can
made to grow nearly as we wish, By sun
mer pruning one-half of the young growth,
viii throw out an abundance of young bud
and IN year or two an open young tree b
converted into a very close growing one
Early in the summer is the best time to trir
eFergreens, or in truth any other tree, If "
have time to attend to it, as the wound 500
heals over and the buds below Will be il
creased and strengthened. In selectiu
Spruce trees we should be governed by th
form We want them to assume. If for pi
turesque effect, then select trees of droopin
habit, whose limbs sweep down towards Ii
ground. As Spruces are ali seedlings, an
each differs in some way from the other, v
can have them, by little care and prunin,
to assume the shape we want. By cutting O
the leader repeatedly they will spread wid
over the grounds or by shearing them ami
ally they become round as top. But Hen
lock bears the shears the best Of any of th
American EYergreens we are acquainted will
II puned in summer while in active growtl
we can form it into low beautiful hedg,
around compact tree, its lowest braucht
resting on the ground like cone; or we ca
elevate 1t among the tallest trees, a compet
to the White pine. Pines are pruned by Gu
ting Oh, in summer, one-half or more of II
central shoot. II this is done at the propt
time, frequently young buds will start beneatl
Ihis IS frequently necessary to keep the u
per branches from extending beyond the lo'
er as this spoils the shape. Most peop
want an evergreen to branch low and sloT
gradually and evenly to the top.
There IS net as much attention given
pruning shrubs as there should be. Nea
ness and compactness Of form is most con
9aeble to abundance of flowers, and if |
l.eqeent cuttings they become deformed
s'un'ee throw them away and plant your