Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-07-14
Summer Pruning OF Apple Trees.

peaches, and Is altogether liner and bet
ter.-Ecchonge.
Summer Pruning OF Apple Trees.
SUMNER pruning of apple trees is quite
commended, while by others the practice
is condemned. We will endeavor, in a.
brief q manner as possible, to state the
reasons which are generally urged in
favor of summer pruning, and then point
ont some Of the more prominent reasons
which may be justly urged against the
practice.
The advocates Of summer pruning
claim:
1. That wounds made at this season Of
the year heal more readily than they would
if made either in the fall, winter or
spring; and for the reason that at this
time the new wood growth already in pro-
cess of formation pushes down over the
upper part of the wound, and in its de-
scent closes over from the sides. This il
done without the bark first drying and
shrinking away; on this account, wounds
not very large, heal the same summer.
2. That the wood at this season being
comparatively destitute Of albuminous
matter, very large wounds, those which
are more than one year in closing over,
do not decay, even though they are not
painted, as do those made at other times.
8. By many the summer is preferred,
because it is easier to see while the trees
are in leaf, which branches most obstruct
the light and air.
4. Because trees which are unproduct-
i've, from making too many branches, are
"a
fruit buds the same year, and . fruitful
condition the following.
8. On summer pruned trees water
sprouts do not usually appear. Perhaps
there are other reasOrn why some would
time in which to prune trees, though we
believe we have given all to which much
importance can be attached. To under
stand how summer pruning may affect
trees injuriously. it will be necessary for
US, in part, to describe what takes place
in trees the latter part Of the growing
season, and again in the spring. In sum-
mer trees form germ branches and leaves,
also germs of fruit, these all winter in the
buds. To sustain these, trees elaborate
and store plant food. This food must be
in sufficient supply to last the following
spring until the laboratory of the tree IL
in working order. In addition for the
sustenance and development of the germs,
we have mentioned, the trees must have
in store the materials, out Of which warty
like excrescences are formed on the roots,
out of which new roots must spring be-
| fore root hairs can be produced. All OF
this growth must be made out Of materials
prepared beforehand. When all these
gro yths are brought forward and sus-
tanned, then trees are in healthy condi-
ton. But when there Is want Of plant
food, then the roots of the trees are the
parts first to be starved and next the
| fruit germs. Fruit germs, however,
do not lack for supply Of
food 30 long as any is left in the roots,
because it is being constantly sent forward
to the leaf and fruit germs 90 long as there
in the roots is 30 much reduced that
roots with new growth, then the newer
and distant roots, being the most active,
/, are the only ones which make new
| growth. This is one way long naked
roots are produced. When the roots of .
after make an enormous drain on the pro-
l
increased as naked roots leugthen. The
heightened condition of roots we have
described is caused in several other ways,
extent as by removing branches in full
leaf, especially just at time when the
leaves are most active in changing the
crude materials in the tree into wood
growth. Any considerable lessening of
/ ton, ot INN 10 N
large roots to use the materials in the new
forming roots along their sides. This they
do to make the new layer of wood and
bark, which must extend all the way from
the distant ends of the roots to the
branches and leaves
When long naked system of roots 10
once formed, the annual tax in making
this new wood deposit, whereby the distant
small roots and tops are connected, often
proves as great tax on the tree as the
production of fruit. Trees when in this
condition, although they may produce an
occasional crop of small size, are, never
theless, nearly worthless, or are 80 as long
as their roots are in this naked condition.
| From what has been explained it must
be seen that though summer pruning Of
apple trees may effect all that it's advocates
claim, yet 1t cannot safely be carried to
the extent necessary.to properly open tho
heads OF trees without possibility Of
permanently impairing their usefulness.
Were the roots of trees, as well as their
leaves, capable of celebrating plant food,
then summer pruning might be feasible |;
but to delay pruning until the lsrger part
of the nutritious materials the roots held
in store has been sent forward to the
leaves, and while there to cut away the
parts containing this and other needed
nourishment, Is process too weakening
to be often repeated. Farmer.
How to Cook Green Peas.
PICK the peas in the afternoon, let them
stand until time to prepare next days din