Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-19
The Time TO PRIME,

The editor OF the NeU England Farmer
says that March and April are the two poor
est months to trim apple trees, and we pre-
sumo this rule may be true, if confined in its
application to Massachusetts, and the coun-
try south of it. But in Northern Vermont
March is the very best time to prunc, and
this applies as regards the first half of the
month, even TO the central and southern
parts of the state
Trees should be pruned while they are at
rest, and not while they are growing. The
only exception to this rule is when we wish
to prune an over-thrifty tree 10 throw it into
bearing, The effect Of pruning TO any eX-
tent during the growing season is to arrest
the growth. This is not desirable, except in
the exceptional case of tree set in such rich
soil that it runs TO wood" and forms no
fruit buds. Even then, it is perhaps better
to let the tree have it, own way since,
though it will be long coming into bearing
it will generally repay the waiting, when its
youthful vigor has had vent, by enormous
crops of fruit.
Mr. G. G. Pringle of Charlotte, in his care
fully written essay upon the Principles of
Pruning" published in the last report of the
Vermont Board Of Agriculture, says, in re-
ference to this question;
SO we will say that the time to prune
in any amount is while the tree remains at
rest. Any reasonable amount of pruning
performed at this time will give the tree no
shock, but on the contrary, may give its
growth a new impulse, because the whole
supply of nourishment stored in the root and
trunk will flow into the remaining branches
Pruning in late autumn, after the fall Of the
leaf, is often advised, but in our extreme
climate it cannot be pursued with safety,
except upon the hardest varieties, since
fresh wounds render a tree more susceptible
to cold, The dry and intensely cold atmos-
phere which here prevails, during so much
of our winter constantly sucks moisture
from the wound, causing the wood to dry to
some depth within, and enlarging the wound
by killing the ring of bark and young wood
Immediately surrounding it. Even in win.
ter a circulation is maintained in the tree,
and these drying wounds tend 10 interrupt
this circulation, often in the case Of small
trees and the lesser branches, causing the
death OF all the wood above them. For this
reason we delay our pruning until the cold
| Of winter is over, or till about the middle of
March. After this date it will be necessary
TO forward the work with despatch, because,
if continued until the sap is in full flow and
| the buds begin TO swell, serious bleeding of
| the wound may ensue, resulting in waste of
sap and often in incurable canker. The lat
ter manifests itself in a sour flow, contin-
ued through the season, discoloring the bark
upon which it oozes, inviting insects and
fungus, and ending in certain decay"
In reference TO this bleeding" or sour
how," which sometimes follows spring prun-
ing, a very interesting discussion sprang up,
succeeding the reading of Mr.. Pringle's es-
say at North Hero, in which number OF
experienced fruit growers engaged Mr.
Robert j. White, Of Shelburn, an extensive
orchardist and very careful observer, said
that, in his opinion, a healthy apple tree
never bleeds, no matter when it may be
pruned. lie though this flow of liquid
which so often comes from cut, a crack,
or broken limb, and runs down upon the
bark, blackening and cankering it, is not the
| true sap of the tree, but comes from the
heart wood, and indicates disease there
| lie believed that every tree showing this
disposition TO bleed would be found dis.
eased at the heart. Mr.. Benjamin Macon.
Der, of Grand Isle, one of the Oldest and
most experienced fruit growers on the Isl.
ands, and a very thoughtful and careful oh
server, agreed with Mr. White, that no ap-
pie tree with a sound heart would bleed
when pruned, no matter at what season the
operation was performed Mr.. o, c. Wait,
OF Georgia, also an experienced orchardist,
said he had studied the question carefully,
and had been brought, by his own obserya-
tons, to the conclusion expressed by the pre-
ceding speakers.
This Is very important and interesting
point in vegetable pathology, and if the
views of the speakers are conformed by gen
eral observation (as we are inclined from
our own experience to think they will bel,
it would establish an important test Of tie
value OF nursery trees, as well as young trees
in the orchard. Mr.. White expressed the
opinion that all nursery trees showing a dis
position TO "bleed" are worthless, and
should be consigned 10 the brush heap.
Doubtless many orchard trees that show this
fault may recover, or II not, may produce
much fruit before they die but the hope of
usefulness in any young tree that has this
mark OF unsoundness upon it, is very small
! In our severe climate.