Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-08-13
F1RMER'S COLUMN.
Best Time to Exterminate Bushes.


4 farmer in western New York. writ
ing to the n Y. Herald, says: Having
been brought up on farm used to hear
much said by farmers in regard to the
best tine for cutting bushes, etc, and
remember well the various opinions given
on the subject. Some recommended to
cut one season, some at another some
regarded the "moon," Others the "signs,'
et-. i also remember that the same kind
of under brush, if cut at one season,
would sta,t again and grow luxuriantly.
but il cut at another would be complete
ly "used up have also, within the
last few years. had opportunity to notice
the same facts and the conclusion to
which have arrived is, that different
shrubs Of bushes, trees, etc, NAV be cut
ut different seasons of the year Some
are killed by cutting as early as the first
of August; and so on till October or
even November The rule is this Gut
any plant or shrub about the time that it
has done growing for the season, and its
destruction 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 the
roots are vigorous, hence if tree or
shrub be cut at this season, or while in
full growth, the root will send forth a
new set of shoots. The exceptions are
first, evergreens generally, as pine,
hemlock, spruce, etc. !; second, that have
a c1pious 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
spring flow of sap has ceased except in
the case of old trees, in which the root
appear not sufficiently vigorous OF evap-
oraiion from the stump too rapid to allow
of the formation of now shootr Second
in autumn, when a shrub or tree has
done growing for tue season, the active
energies of the root ceases, being, per-
haps, somewhat exhausted by its summer
action. If then, the bush or tree be cut
after it has done growing, but while the
stem and leaves are fresh and full of sap,
the vital toroe 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 restored by the
return of the sap and are ready for ac-
tion again AS soon as the season of growth
shall return. Hence too early or too late
cutting will lie equally unsuccessful
Cut your under-brush then at the time
above specified, and it viii rarely start
again. If it does. the growth will ap-
pear sturted or sick, and soon die of its
own accord, or second cutting at the
proper time will insure success. The
same rule applies to all plants, as Cana
da thistles. milk weeds. etc. with greater
or less certainty, according to the greater
or less vital f0rce Or tenacity of life pc
culiar to the root of each kind of yege-
table. 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 beyond this time, or till the leaves
begin to turn yellow or fall, cutting viii
be of little use, as the root will be strong
for a new start on the opening Of new
spring.