North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-04-20
Pruning.

Pruning.
The season of pruning is close at hand
probably some are even now plying the
saw and knife and there is no doubt 9
general examination of the edges of prun
ing implements going on. The question
as to the time of pruning is one with
which we do not propose to meddle. The
advocates Of the different seasons have
shown the plausibility of their theories SO
ably, and have proved the safety of their
practice so clearly, that we feel justified
in concluding that it makes very little
difference when pruning is done if it is
done judic:ously.
But we would urge moderation upon all.
There is temptation connected with
pruning, when the owner is going about
among his trees on pleasant day, with
his tools just in order, which Of itself
would induce an excess Of cutting. 1t is
"fun" to cut the green, soft wood with a
keen-edged knife or with saw properly
set; perhaps no one can so fully appre-
ciate the exquisite pleasure as we whit
Ting Yankees. But when the ardent
primer is urged on and justified by ex-
travagant theorists an almost indiscrimi-
lIs
There is strange infatuation prevail.
ing that, by cutting away one half of the
top of tree, the whole Of the vitality Of
the original root may be retained and all
the vigor concentrated in the remaining
limbs, thereby securing nearly as many
perfect apples as there would have been of
quite inferior ones, had the tree remained
unpruned. This can no more be done
than we can, by amputating one of our
own limbs, divert the powers that once
supported it into the remaining three.
There is mutual dependence between
the heart and the cxtremities that it sup
ports, and between the roots and branches
Of the tree and neither can live without
the other. Both of these so-called vital
powers are very good in their places, and
it is not possible to over>estimate their i'm.
p0rtance; still, we give them too much
credit by failing to recognize their depen-
denotes. We are too apt to think that
the roots are very kind, to furnish all the
top and foliage with nourishment extracted
from the earth, when, if it were proper
to look for motives ia this connection,
we might find that the operation was
prompted by the most selfish instincts in
cuOIIS IAat ~ 40 y MulIcI VI IlIc anu U6s1tu
with the roots.
Through the foliage, the circulating sap
is brought in contact with the air and
sunlight, and it takes up and conveys
from thence to the roots the properties
which are essential to their very existence.
This is simple view of part of the
physiology of the tree, the mutual obliga-
tons between root and branch. A little
consideration will convince the observer
that this connection is of too delicate o
nature to be safely tempered with. The
proportion of root to top is nicely adjust.
ed BY the power that produces them, and
when we cut away half Of the top at one
pruning, as is sometimes the case, imme-
date injury is inflicted upon the roots
and the result cannot be otherwise than
disastrous to the whole tree.
There can be little doubt that much in
jury has been done through an eagerness
to let in the rays of the sun to all parts
of the top of the tree. Fire blight on
pear trees is supposed, by many, to be
caused by exposing the trunk and limbs
to the direct rays Of the sun. The opin.
ion is gaining ground that even the coarse
bark Of the trunk is injured by this ex-
posture and the most skillful pruning is
now done with q view to obviate this.
And where protection cannot be secured
by the foliage of the trees artificial means
are used.
These general principles should there's
fore be seriously considered in connection
with pruning. Fer it is possible that the
premature decay of our fruit trees may be
largely owing to the violation of these
laws.
Added to these dangers are those of a
more direct or local character, connected
with the wounds-especially where large
limbs are removed; though such opera
items are now rarely performed by expert
enced primers.
Our orchard and fruit gardens have
undoubtedly suffered severely from the
hands of quack surgeons and the owners
of trees should bear in mind that it re-
quires something more than a willing hand
and sharp tools to accomplish this imports
ant task.