The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-26
Rest Time to Exterminate Bushes.


A farmer in western New York, writing
to the Herald says Having been brought
up on a farm l used to hear much said by
farmers in regard to the "best time for
cutting bushes ETC., and remember well
the many uncertainties that existed and the
various opinions given on the subject.
Some recommended to cut at one season,
some at another some regarded the
"moon," others the "signs," &c. l also
remember that the same kind of under
brush, if cut at one season would start
again and grow luxuriously, but if cut at
another would be completely fused up" l
have also, within the last few years, had
opportunity to notice the same fact; and
the conclusion at which have arrived is,
that different shrubs or bushes, trees, etc.,
may be cut at different seasons of the year.
Some are killed by cutting as early as the
first of August, and SO on till October or
November. The rule is this: "Cut any
plant or shrub about the time that it has
done growing for the season, and its de-
struction is almost certain" If cut before
this it will generally start again the next
year. The exceptions are few.-So much
for the fact, now for the theory. First, in
the spring of the year, all roots are vigor-
Gus hence, if tree or shrub be cut at
this time, or while in full growth, the root
will send forth new set of roots. The ex-
ceptions are-first, evergreens generally, as
pine, hemlock, spruce, etc. second, those
that have a copious flow of sap in the
spring, as the maple, birch, etc. Yet even
some of those will start again if cut soon
after the buds have opened that is, after
the flow of sap has ceased except in the
case Of old trees, in which the roots ap-
pear not sufficiently vigorous or the
evaporation from the new stump too rapid
to allow Of the formation of new shoots.
Second-in Autumn, when shrub or tree
has done growing for the season, the active
energies Of the root cease, being, perhaps,
somewhat exhausted by its summer action.
III, then the bush or tree be cut, after it has
done growing, but while the stem and
leaves are full of sap, the vital force of the
root will rarely be sufficient to cause a new
growth; but if left till the foliage is dead
or dying the energies of the root are restor-
ed by the return of the sap, and are ready for
action again as soon as the season of growth
shall return. Hence too early or too late
cutting will be equally unsuccessful. Cut
your underbrush, then, at the time above
specified, and it will rarely start again. If
. it does, the growth will appear stunted or
sickly, and soon die Of its own accord, or
second cutting at the proper time will in
sure success. The same rule applies to all
plants, as Canada thistle, milk weeds etc.,
with greater or less certainty, according to
the greater or less vital force or tendency
of life peculiar to the root of each kind of
vegetable. The "proper time" can easily
be determined by observing whether new
leaves continue to appear at the ends of the
prominent branches. If deferred long be-
yond this time, or till the leaves begin to
turn yellow and fall, cutting will be of lit
tie use, as the root will be "strong" for a
new start on the opening of a new spring.
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