Daily Kennebec journal., 1874-01-10

TRIMMING APPLE TREES.

We have found in our exerienee. which
has been considerable, that to remove
large limbs, and several of them at a time,
is injurious to the tree The shock seems
for while to check the growth; this for
more than year, and some fatal cases
may be attributable to this. One, or at
least two large limbs at time is usually
sufficient, depending upon the size Of the
tree, or upon the number of its large
branches. We have had the very best
success in reducing gradually the over
grown top Of tree, or where decay had
affected the large limbs, as is the case
| with the Spitzenburgs, taking two to four
years to remove the cankered or crowded
large limbs, starting new ones in place of
the deceased old ones where needed.
The time for doing this is, of cotrse.
not in summer, when the tree is in full
growth, as the shock will be all the great
er. 1t is, however, the time to free the
tree of small, unnecessary limbs and
shoots; the latter, in their tender state,
may be rubbed off, and that is decidedly
the way to do it, as the work is easy, and
the further loss of wood growth isarrested,
the remainder Of the tree and the fruit get
ting it. Removing these small shoots and
limbs will not visibly injure the tree; will
divert the sap into those parts of the tree
where it is wanted and the wound will
more readily heal over
Whether large limbs are removed in
the fall, winter. or spring, is not very ma
terial. Mr.. Thomas, from whom there is
no better authority, says, in his Fruit
Culturist," that the time for removing
large limbs should be deferred till towards
10, hat fbo
ceives shock to certain extent even in
the winter, as growth is not entirely sus-
pended; and the cold superadded makes
the tree suffer still more. Hence, when
the severity of the season lessons, as il
seem to operate, is the time to remove
ing at time. March, with us, is good
pruned at any time during the winter OF
late fall. If your tree is very thrifty and
large, with tendancy to grow wood rather
move the large branches then, and the
this, and always with satisfaction.
Pruning apple trees is an art, and it is
the main thing in the prosperity of tree
is OF Importance, sometimes the great
est; but of greater Importance we deem
attention to the top. We speak not only
from experience, but the most gratifying
experience. We have taken orchards in
hand that were thought ruined. most of
the limbs dead or in state of decay, and
by gradual, careful course of pruning.
starting new shoots in the place of old
ones where needed, have renewed the
trees and have them surpass their former
best state. There is chance with old trees
which is of the greatest importance-to
give spread or outward extension to the
limbs. This cannot be too strongly insist
ed upon. You must have the sun and air
and free ventilation of the whole tree if
perfect fruit and the largest amount is to
be realized also the best growth. Spread
therefore, the top, so that each large
branch is distinct-a small tree by itself,
as it were-giving chance for light and air
between. But each branch itself wants to
be thinned out, the whole well aired and
exposed to the skyey influences. Then
every fruit will be colorcd and matured;
limbs will be healthy, or healthier than ii
not thus treated,
Sometimes, however. it is difficult to
prevent tree, by pruning, from going to
decay. This without the Intervention of
the borer or any visible disease. In such
a case we have known the cause to be
hard, limperyious soil--too much water
present at times or habitually. The
remedy here is dtching. Then the prun-
ing will be officacious. s.-Cor. Utica Herald