Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-04-17
PRUNING ORCHARDS IN WINTER

The question is often asked, al
though becoming well unc ccrstood by
good orchardis.s, "Whcn is the best
time to prunc-Wintcr or Summcr?'
1t is often wrong y answered. Thcro
ar C two advantages of pruning in
mid summer, or during the period cf
rapid growth-and these are, check.
ing the growth of tho treo when too
luxuriant, and allowing the wounds to
heal over more readily. The invaria-
bic tendency Of pruning q tree w!ii!o
growing, is to rctard its vigor. If the
amount Of foliage cut away bo slight,
the effect will not bo great; but if the
pruning bo considerable or severe, a
formidable check will Lc given. Sam-
mcr pruning may BE- adopted on thrift
ty young trees, when the object is
merely TO remove few useless or
struggling shoots, and to give symmo-
! try of form. But if tho portion to bo
Gu. away is largo, it is better 10 wait
until growth has ceased in Autumn, OF
olsc perform the operation oarly in
| Spring. 1t is true, the wounds heal
over moro perfectly, for the reason
that tho cut surface dries moro quick
Iy, and tho new lip Of wood covcrsit
or partly covers it at once. But this
advantage is at the expense of growth.
In all cases whore it is desired to
impart vigor, so far as this can bo
done by mere pruning, it should bo
performed after the fall Of tho leaf,
and before the swelling Of tho buds 10
Spring. With quite hardy trees it
may bo done in Winter; but with
those inclining to be tender, and which
arc always mado more 30 by the cx-
cision of tho limbs, it should be defer
red until early Spring. Any one who
cntcrtains q doubtful opinion on tho
subject Of Summer pruning, had bet
ter try tho experiment. Let him
prune one row Of trees in Winter, or
carly Spring, and tho next row in
une.-Country Gentleman.
| -ss-.~--
OATS GROUND AND UNGRoUND.-1t ~
generally admitted that there is no better
or moro natural grain for the horse than
oats, and they are extensively fed through
out the whole country, and usually in an
F unground state. The reason Of this is
0 probably owing to the fact that but lit
! lie trouble is required to feed them So
/. Yet every one knows that oats given Whole
i particularly to an aged animal, pass
O through in large quantities undigested,
o giving no nutriment to the body. Then
$ that portion Of the grain unmasticated
t has done no good, and some loss attending
|. it. We must therefore conclude that al
!. least one third less grain given in grouut
q state would do as much or moro good.
., The experiments of some of our bes
n chemical physiologist 60 to show tina
q mixing of saliva with the food is Of tb
utmost Importance in effectiug easy diges'
]. lion. When grain goes into the stomach
~ in whole state, it is not affected by th
I. secretions ls then made at the expense q
Or the animals condition. Then, il oats, b
passing through the digestive tubes of
uudigested, injurs the animal, it is nc
ar natural to suppose that he could perforrt
er more labor with less grain when he gel
b. all Of the nutriment from the quantity tex
he A span of horses that require twel'
quarts each of uogrouud oats per DE-
would consume Two hundred and eigh,
q. two bushels. Estimating it at ono ,lli, ll
ar Eless, would make saving Of napty-ot
as bushels; and q. SIXTY Bseesnts per bush
70. would amoun,. iin oasli . about sisty q
ars for Tue trouble Of griniing. Z, lsss ,s !. =