Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-03-27
miscellaneous.
Winter Pruning Of Fruit Trees.

IN theory theorists NAV diner very
widely in their ideas touching the Winter
pruning o fruit trees and shrubs but prac-
teal men usually begin this work as soon
a convenient after the holidays. The re
j, no Use borrowing trouble about the
frost iniuring the exposed wood where a
branch has been cut off. because if you
have any fears on this score just cover the
wounds with a little gum shellac, dissolved
in alcohol or with common paint; grating
wax will also answer the purpose as well.
But never prune a plant just for the
sake Of pruning, or because somebody has
said that trees require pruning animal ly
The size and form OF trees may be con-
-.trolled at will by pruning. ard fruitfulness
maS>be hassened or retarded by the same
process. Vigorous, growing trses s,io-id
be preserved vita care and judgment
the operator remembering that the more
wood that is cut away the more rapid the
growth the following season; AID if a tree
Is already making too much wood, no
more should be allowed than is actutly
necessary to bring that which remains into
proper shape.
This principle as our guide, We prune
stunted trees severely; or even sickly
branches, on an otherwise healthy tree
may often be restored to health by the use
of the pruning-knfe alone. If the trees
are large and branches so numerous as not
10 permit the light to reach the centre OF
tree, cut out portion. and give all parts
an equal chance for development and
health. In all large, old trees there must
naturally occur many exhausted branches
and in cutting these away We give the
Others an opportunity to grow; and if a
few fruit spurs are destroyed, the fruit pro-
duced will be larger and ola better quality.
Most fruit cultivators will own 10 a weak
ness in leaving too much bearing wood
upon their trees. and poor, small fruit is
the result.
No better time can be selected for prun-
Ing uuderstandingly than in winter, for at
this season one can readily determin the
character of each bud, spur or branch,
and shorten, remove entire. or allow any
portion TO remain intact, as the condition
may indicate. Apple, pear and plum trees
may be pruned far more freely than the
cherry for this last named tree Is rather
impatient under the knife, although it may
often be pruned to advantage. We all
take far too much delight in showing. our
fruit trees loaded down with greater
burden than they can IN safety carry
IN rir ha
of severe pruning to restore yigor to eX-
hausted specimens.
Next to fruit trees, grape vines are
allowed to oyerbear more than any other
OF our small fruits, and the far too COM
mon promise in the early part Of the sea-
son end, in a lamentable failure. Green.
half-rpened grapes are usually more
abundant in gardens and vineyards than
those that are well matured; and a failure
To use the knife is very frequently the
cause. Gooseberries are very liable to
mildew, especially upon old, neglected
plants; severe pruning by cutting out the
old wood, thinning and shortening the
young, is usually beneficial. But with
varieties that are subject to disease, it is
best to renew the stock frequently, keep
ing none but young plants.
The red and white currants of our gar
dens require more pruning tina II the major
ity Of persons give them; and annual
thinning of the shoots will result in larg-
er and better fruit than if allowed to
grow in thick. dense clumps. as generally
seen in farmers gardens. The black
varieties do better, and bear larger fruits
when grown in a miniature from. and
pruned accordingly. People. a Il rule.
prune off the outside, just a some will
begin at the base of tree and prune up
ward instead of beginning at the top and
prune downward.
Raspberries, blackberries and other
similar fruits are improved by pruning,
and the operation may be described in the
two words. shortening aud thinning.
If men would only think more while they
work and notice the effects of certain OPP
eratons, the benefits TO be derived from
judicious pruning. as well as when TO
avoid errors. would soon be learned .-Ru-
raj -Neg Yorker.