The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-06-18
PrunGnG-EIae Rsest Form for Or
cIIaFd frees.

When is the best time for pruning
fruit trees? This question is asked every
day during spring. Pruning Is supposed
to be absolutely necessary, and seems tC
be a settled conviction that pruning
ought TO be done sometime in the spring.
We cannot at this time, go into an eIab-
crate and exhaustive article OH the sub
iect, because that would lead us too fer.
but we will give a few general ideas and
facts, which, if not a guide to correct
pruning, may keep our readers from max
ing gross mistakes.
1t is a commonly accepted saying Of our
best horticulturist: F'Prune for wood
Chat is to induce a larger growth of
branches), in the spring and in the au-
tunn, for fruit. But let us for mo-
ment consider the best form for trees.
To do this we should study the natural
form and peculiar habits of trees. Take
for instance the apple: Some varieties
like the "Carolina Red June" or the
Duchess of Oldenburg," need very little
pruning at any time. The first is a very
slow grower, and unless where branches
absolutely clash and shaft, makes very
little superfiuous wood; while the second
does upIts years work in a hurry and
goes to rest again; take the "Kirkbridge
White" and the 'Limbertwig." The
first OF these hes a very upright habit
almost as strong as the Lombardy popu-
lar, while the other has spready and
dropping habit; consequently, no general
law for pruning can be laid down unless
we viii allow a very long list taught Us
that, all things being equal, the pyramid
al form is preferable for fruit tree 1t
is not only the most beautiful, and the
most practicable, but with branches equally
distributed and strong celtre stem,
fruit may be allowed to grow on every
part Of the tree, insuring a great load
under which the branches will droop more
or less, and thus allow air and sunlight to
kiss every fruit and call forth the blush
in all that are susceptible thereto.
Now as to pruning. If done at the
proper time, ana at the best stage of
growth, all the pruning could be done with
thumb and finger, and it is because Of
the first neglect that men are obliged to
use the knife or the saw. We must now
suppose 1t to be necessary and therefore
ask which branches ought to be removed.
First, then, one of each two that clash,
perhaps both.
In removing one we must keep in our
minds eye the general outline, form and
natural habit OF the tree. Next, all
branches calculated TO throw the tree
ont Of proper balance Care should also
be taken that the side exposed to the
northeast does not become too heavy,
because the prevailing winds of the Mis-
sissippi valley, coming from south
west, VIII give the tree an addition
al tendency to lean towards the north
east.
Again trees, like the Northern Spy,
naturally inclined to form many branches,
must be thinned in the top to admit of sun
light and air
Standard pear trees need little or DO
pruning, but if inclined to make two ana
even three growths in a season, the ter
minal buds Cught to be pinched in, so
that if possible the tree will only and we'll
mature one growth However. any and
every indication of blight on all pear trees.
from whatever source produced, should /
instantly be removed with the knife, no
matter how much it may hurt the opera |
tor. Peach, cherry and plum trees
should he pruned so as to admit plenty of
sunlight and air, and superinduce the |
line coloring of the fruit, and also in such |
a manner that the fruit shall set on the I
stronger branches aud more in the centre +
of the tree. This is pre-eminently re- /
quisite for peach trees, because when large
crops are grown on the wood, and on or
near to the ends of the branches, which /
is the naturally tendency the tree is like
ly to break down, spelling the tree aud
causing the loss of fruit.
When branches an inch thick or larger
are removed, it is best to make the |
wound as small as possible, with the
lower lip protruding, and shaping the
edges as nicely as very sharp knife will
do it.
Ornamental and evergreen trees need
little or no pruning except to remove
bud, which, when developed in the branch,
will throw the tree out of balance. To
this rule the soft maple forms an excep-
ton. The growth of this tree is so rapid
that the top must be kept under perfect
control and in proportion to the body.
otherwise it viii break the tree. Always
prune maple when in full leaf.