Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-10-22
For the vERHoNr FARMER.
Pruning.

In an article recently published, attention
was called to old neglected trees, and a
course indicated which the necessitie of the
case would seem to require, but an orchard
well cared for from the beginning will never
reach the condition described, and will
never require heavy pruning. The trees
should be Pruned into proper shape when
FIRST set and kept in that condition by the
use Of the pruning knife or shears, using the
saw only TO take out dead limbs and the
axe-never. But to do this requires con /.
slant attention, going over the trees at least
once during the year and removing all
growth which is not needed. Such pruning
can be done at any season Of the year when
the knife aud shears are sharp. The above
is true theoretically, but practically fear
there are but few orchards in Vermont which
are not neglected TO the extent of requiring
more pruning than above indicated.
In pruning thrifty growing tree, remove
sucn branches as cross aud ohafe each other,
giving the tree somewhat open top so that
oil the fruit can have the beneit of air and
light, but DO careful not to get 80 enthusi-
astic in the matter as to suppose that il q
little pruning is good, great deal would be
better, and cut away enough to leave n
naked stem exposed to the direct rays Of the
sun. Many trees are destroyed IN this way.
The southwest side of the tree, which is
exposed to the strongest heat of the sun
becoming diseased from the effects Of whic
it seldom or never RECEIVERS. There is q
good deal Of discussion as regards low or
high trees, for the above reason and for
greater ease in gathering the fruit it would
seem that low trained trees were the better,
but practically about four feet from the
ground to the lower branches will be found
tho proper height. This gives chance to
cultivate the soil around the trees--an
important item and the tree can be so
trained as to shade all its parts.
Newly grated trees should receive atten.
tioni it is worse than useless to set soions
and then neglect the trees these require
close aud constant care. During the sum
mer the sprouts Hsar the scions should be
kept rubbed of. At this season, or before
growth commences in the spring, about one
half Of the ungrafted branches should bo re.
moved, taking care to cut away those branches
which are nearest the scions. This
will give the sciODs chance to grow
without forcing them too much, oI
which there is some danger. The remainder
ofthe natural growth may remain during
another season when nearly the whole may
be taken out.
Only one scion should be allowed ulti-
mately to grow on each stock, but it is not
advisable 10 cut either one entirely away
during the first season one should be short
ened so as to give the other the lead. and il
the stronger one makes good growth the
weaker may be cut away during the next
season, or as soon as the growth Of the two
covers the whole stock. BY following thi'
method a more complete and healthy union
is formed, leaving no unsightly scar at the
point Of contact, while if both scious are al
lowed to grow and at some time bscom,
loaded with fruit, there is danger of splitting
apart. j. II. p.
Grafton, Vt.