Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-08-06
Pinching the Terminal Buds.

YOU'VE fruit trees of all sorts, as well as
grapevines and berry bushes, require con-
slant attention during the growing season
in order to induce the branches and lead
ing limbs to attain symmetrical growth
When allowed to grow without any train
ing or pinching of the terminal buds young
trees threw out long and slender shoots
when the wish of the proprietor is that the
growth should be stocky and symmetrical.
By pinching off the terminal buds of a
growing shoot the flow of sap that has
hitherto concentrated at the end to aug
ment the length of the branch will now be
diverted from the terminal bud to the de
velOpment of the side buds and TO the
growth of the shoot or branch in size and
thickness rather than in length.
Our own practice is to keep a vigilant
eye on the growth of all our trees, vines, and
berry bushes during the growing season.
Here, for example, is pear tree, some of
the branches of which are growing lux
uriantly, and in some instances the in.
crease in length is quite too rapid for the
size and strength. Whenever this is the
case all the terminal buds, or a portion of
them, as may be required, are pinched off.
In some instances two central canes seem
to be vying with each other for the as
tendency. As fork or crotch should al
ways be avoided IN training trees, the ter
minal bud of one of the contending
branches is pinched off. BY this means
the one that is not pinched takes the lead
and becomes the central or main stem OF
the tree-top. In case a lateral branch is
disposed TO start off beyond the length OF
other branches, the terminal bud is pinched
off to keep the rampant grower in proper
check.
Near the veranda of the dwelling are
two peach trees and one wild goose plum
tree, WHICH have already (July 12) thrown
outward and upward new growth abou
three feet in length. AS this new growtl
was too slender for such length the termi
nal bud OF every branch was pinched off
In the course of a week those slender
shoots had increased rapidly in size anC
other terminal buds had been formed
But as the length was already too great fol
the diameter and strength of the new
growth the terminal buds were all pincheC
off the second time. This practice will b,
continued until the side buds have beer
developed and the branches have increased
in diameter to such an extent that thert
will be proper symmetry between tn,
length and the diameter of the entir,
growth After shoots have attained
growth of one or two feet in length the in
telligent culurist should understand
whether the branches are too slender, O
whether the growth is desirably symmetri
cal. II a tree-top increases in diane
Ter two feet each way from th,
center, or four feet In the aggregate
every season, and growth of twC
feet is made upward, trees will soon come
into full bearing. The aim should al
ways be TO produce stocky and symmeui
cal branches and bearing twigs. There i
nothing gained by having long and slen
der branch with only few fruit-bud
near the outer extremity. Ii will be ia
more satisfactory and better in every re
spect to keep the terminal buds pinche'
OIL after a desirable length has been at
tanned, and lei the growth be made in siz
and stockiness rather than length withou
desirable strength BY pinching of tn
terminal buds the new wood will be NOR
completely matured before the end OF tn
growing season. Consequently the neN
growth Will endure the cold Of winte
with little or no injury whereas, II youn