Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-03-24

fore me, and what they considered right,
| also may practice" Now it is this very
anti progressive spirit that every true pomo-
logist has to contend against, and although
our Apples and Peaches may have proven
more certain In the years that have passed,
we must recollect that new diseases, and
unknown insects have iniruded themselves
upon our notice with such disastrous con-
sequences, that we are forced into studying
the subject more sysis matically and scen-
tifically. With these few explanatory re-
marks, will now resume the "thread of
my DISCOURSE and examine into the hest
methods of trimming our trees. Piuningis
capable of two extremes; both injudicious,
and one at least, positively Injurious. or
two evils. it has been wisely said, choose
neither; but in the choice between Quar-
pruning, and total negligence, l greatly
incline TO accept the latter. / am well
aware that for several years past, many
writers on this subject have laid down rules
fol governing the annual looping, or as it
might be apty termed, mutlaiion of our
trees; but by these teachers l am not gov
erned in any way.
THREE STYLES OF PRUNING.
We have been even told by the ultra
ddpocates of the system, that annually
every branch of the preceding years growth
should be cut back at least one hall, and if
| necessary to form an exact conical head,
still more should be tskea off, The n,ode-
| rate pruner says, always cut out portion
of the growth, and during midsummer,-or
later if necessaiy,-p pinch the tender growth
of the young shoois to promote the ripening
process, and which at the same time will
| tend to increase frui,fulness.
But the judicious primer will be yet
more guarded in his use of the knife, and
here is what | wish to impress upon the
minds of my readers. Never cut off the
smallest twig without one delibera,Ion, and
| then only when convinced ii is necessary to
| promote better form, such as takiug out
inlerlappiug branches, supelAuous twigs,
| diseased portions, &c. Indeed excessive
| spring pruning to increase early fruitiuness,
generally acts exactly The reverse. The
vigor Of the tree is thus compelled TO renew
its growth, and the consequence is new
suit cf strong young shoots in the place OF
blossom buds. On the Apple and Pear
for instance, and IN fact almost all kinds of
fruits, the strong leading shoots Of last ser
son, will this year he forming fruit-spurs
from every bud throughout its entire length,
and next Spring we may expect fine show
of bloss oms.
This is what may very properly be termed
the system Of n0np uniny. Now l do
not wish to be understood as advocating the
total disuse of the knife, but ! am thus
strongly stating the case from personal
knowledge Of the very many and disastrous
consequences resulting from the practice of
oyerprunipg. After planting young
| orchard,
A FEW GEsERAL RULES
on this subject may prove useful to the
novice.
PresumIDg that two and three year old
Apple or Pear trees have be en- selected. il
is always advisable to head in moderately
the few l,ading shoots, and thus counter
balance the loss occasioned by depriving the
plant Of portion of its roots, which is
almost unavoidable to a certain extent. In
performing this operation, the ultimate form
of the tree should not be lost sght of, and
cons, quently to create au evenly pIopor-
toned top,some shoots may r, quile a more
severe trimming than Others.
After carefully examining the various
modes recommended, and testing them for
my self am led to believe that the follow
ing system will prove the m st satisfactory
The generality of cases. pmmencine
when the tree is young, remove all twigs
exc, ping three which must emanate
from tue trunk as nearly in a circle as posi-
hle, aud In diverging lhere.fom should
form three ca al angles In other words,
as lotanists would express it, form aohorl
Of three. From eighteen to twenty inches
higher up, permit three more 10 remain in
the same manner, aud ugain another the
same distance above it, and so on thus the
tree will be inclined TO form regular even
top, without having to pune, when the
branches are large.
ADVANTAGES OF sUCn PRUNING.
The real benefit CT this method cannot be
duly appreciated until the tree has arrived
at maturity but when that period is at
hand, the excellence of the system will be
understood beyond doubt. | know of q
large orchard consisting of Apples ant
Pears, where this rule has been consistently
followed for many years, and l very muc
doubt fits equal in point of symmetry and
general appearance eau be found in the
country. Another important requistion
and one which is now being discussed
among our fruit growers, is the propeI
height for the main body of our orchard
trees. Farmers as a class are opposed /,
low branches, as it intcrferes, very MATERIAL,
with their cullivating operations; and at b
more advanced stage Of the orchard, pre-
vents to certain extent the plsturing Of
arger animals. And here we might as wei
discuss
THE QUESTION OF PROFIT,
SDfar as il relates to ta ming 10 general In the
first place AgiicullurstsDever togaih
,rtwo grain ciot from. heir land at the sam,
time, but with fruit the rase appears tt
assume another form, and they frcquentl,
ignore the claims"f fthe laiteraltogether view
ias it in the light ofau extra income whicl
will take care of itself, and which shnult
not interfere " it'll the growth of some cerea
or vegetable, that might or might not per
haps pay them one-tenlh part as great profit
Every one should plant an orchard with ,
perfect understanding that they inteut
making it II pay ing investment in the future
and consequently they Should not allow an,
o side issues to interfere with its permanen
n usefulness Therefore always allow tn,
is nees 10 branch low, especially in the mid
: die and southern portions of our country
d LIT THE TREES BRANCH Low.
y The reasons Tor this course are manifold
J. What we need greatly is perfect shading
ID Of the ground to keep the roots moist au,