Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-08-06
agricultural.


\ farmer IN western New York, writing
to The New York Herald. says Having
been brought up en- farm 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 end the various opinions given on
the subject. Some recommended to cut at
one season. some at another. some regarded
the moon" others the signs" etc. |
also remember that the same kind Of under
brush if cut at one season, would start again
and grow luxuriantly, but if cut at another
would be completely FUSED up" have
also. within the last few years, bad oppor.
tunity 10 notice the same facts and the
conclusion 10 which | have arrived is, that
different shrubs Of bushes, trees, etc, may
be cut at different seasons Of the year
Some are killed by cutting as early as the
6rst Of August and so on ill October or
even November. The rule is this Cut
any plant or shrub about the time that it
has done growing for the season, and its
destruction is almost certain" If cut be.
fore 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 vigorous hence, If tree or shrub be
cut at this time, or while in fall growth,
the root will send forth a new set of shoots
The exceptions arc-drst, evergreens gen.
orally, as pine, hemlock, spruce etc. Sec
ond, those that have copious flow Of sap
in the spring, as the maple birch, etc.
Yet even some of those will start again i'll
cut soon after the buds have opened that
IL, after the spring flow of sap has ceased |
except 10 The case of old trees, in which
the root appears not sufficiently vigorous or
the evaporation from the new stump too
rapid to allow of the formation Of new |
shoots Secoud-iu autumn when shrub |
or tree has done growing for the season, the
active energies Of the root cease, being |
perhaps, somewhat exhausted by its sum-
MGR action. If then, the bush or the tree
be cut, after it has done growing, but while
the stem and leaves are fresh and full Of
sep, the vital force Of the root will rarely
be sufficient to cause a new growth /; but if
left tail the foliage is dead or dying the
energies Of the root are restored by the re-
turn Of the sap, and are ready for action
again as soon as the season Of growth shall |
return. Hence too carly or too late cut
ting will be equally unsuccessful. Cut I
your brus then, at the time above specif-
ed, and it will rarely start rgain. If it
does, the growth will appear stunted and
sickly, and soon die Of its own accord or a
second cutting at the proper time will in
sure success. The same rule applies to all
plants, as Canada thistes, milk weeds etc,
with greater or less certainty, according to
the greater or less vital force or tenacity Of
life peculiar TO the root of each kind Of
vegetable. The "propor time" can easily
be determined by observing whether new
leaves continue to appear at the ends Of
the prominent branches. If deferred long
beyond this time, or till the leaves begin to
turn yellow or fall, cutting will be of little
use, as the root will be "strong" for a new
ttart on the opening Of new spring,