Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-08-04
PRUNING TREES ANp YINEs.

This sshould not, however, be considered
as literally true, although volumes of
nonsense have been written in regard
10 particular days or months In which
certain kinds ofplants should bcpruned.
II is not well TO prune vines or trees
just at the time the sap begins TO flow
the most rapidly in Spring, because it
is likely 10 issue from the wounds, dis
coloring the bark below, and making
tho plants look unsightly, even if no
further injury follows. But il trees or
. vines are pruncd carly enough TO in
sure good frosting Of the wounds for
q few nights before the sap begins TO
flow, there will be little danger Of what
is usually termed bleeding. In many
Northern localities this may yet be
done, and those who have neglected
pruning trees and similar plants requir.
ing it should not delay the operation,
although ii may be put off with some
kinds until the leaves are fully ex-
panded. But there appear TO be many
erroneous ideas prevalent among those
who have had little experience in plant
culture, and the most common one is,
that vines and trees require pruning
only once a year, which frequently
leads TO severe losses both in fruit and
vigor of the specimens.
A man, for instance, concludes that
his old apple or pear trees require prun-
ing, the branches having become too
abundant for the free admission oflight
and air into the centre of the head, or
because some of the leading shoots have
become too tall, or the lower branches
droop too much to admit of working
the ground underneath. He, therefore,
proceeds TO thin out, cut back or trim
up, severing large or small branches, as
the case may require. So far, the opera
ton may be performed in judicious
mannor, but in the months following
il will usually be observed that numer-
GUS sprouts will spring from latent buds
near the point where branch has
been severed from the main stem or
elsewhere, and If these are permitted
10 grow il is at the expense of those
and other parts of the tree besides, in
most cases they spring from the points
where no shoots are desired, and will
be removed at the next annual pruning.
Examples of this kind may he seen in
hundreds of orchards at any time dur
ing the Summer months, the vigor of
the trees being wasted in these sap
sprouts, as they are usually termed by
farmers. Now, the proper course to
pursue is to visit the pruned trees once
or twice during the season, breaking or
cutting off these surplus shoots while
they are young, thereby forcing the
sap into other channels.
We think those who have had any
experience in the care of orchards will
readily see the importanceo ofthis opera
ton in connection with that regular
annual pruning. OF course we do not
assert that all trees require pruning
every year, but if it is done, Summer
pinching and rubbing off surplus shoots
should always follow. If trees are
properly pruned at the start, followed
by iudicious care in Summer, there will
belittle need of removing large branches
as they become old A fruit tree
should receive its first severe pruning
at the time Of planting in the orchard,
and there is little danger Of reducing
the top too much.
In planting peach trees, say one year
old and five feet high, we would cut
I back the main stem to three or three
and a-half and all the side shoots TO
within one or two buds of their base,
which, in ordinary varieties, would
mean to within three inches With
pears, apples, and plums, less severe
pruning would suffice but we would
reduce all branches TO about one-third
of their original length, and if the trees
have been transported to a considera-
bic distance, and become somewhat dry
during transit, a still further reduction
: will be beneficial. The ends of all roots
severed by spadesin digging should also
be smoothed off with sharp knife be-
fore planting. This kind of pruning is
the almost universal practice with nur-
serymen and others who have had ex'
tensive experience in tree culture. OF
course there are men who claim that
it is wrong in theory TO reduce the
natural number of buds and branches
upon tree in order to secure a vigor-
GUS growth; but we can assure our
readers that it works well in practice,
even if it does not accord with some Of
the theories advanced to prove that it
is wrong
The neAt period of the life Of fruit
trees when very severe pruning may
be beneficial, is when they have
reached an age of unfruitfulness, eth
or in consequence Of having been per-
mitted to ovcrbcar or of neglect of
pruning or culture. Old orchards
I. which have become almost or quite
barren may frequently be restored to
health and fruitfulness by removing
one-half of all the branches entire,
and then shortening the remainder
one-half, at the same time adding fer
tilizers to the soil. Considerable at
tention however, will be requisite dur
ing the summer in removing the young
sprouts which will issue from the Sc
verely pruned branches. A few Of
the strongest should be permitted to
grow. selecting those for this purpose
which start at points where new
, branches are desired. Many of our
old and now almost worthless pear
and apple orchards might be restored
f, by manuring and pruning combined.
In removing large branches from
trees, il is well to cover the wounds
with grating wax or some similar
substance which will prevent the de-
cay of the exposed wood.
PRUNING eRApEvISEs.
What VIC have said above in regard
to fruit trees is also applicable to grape
vines. If pruned before cold weather
is entirely passed, there will be little
danger OF bleeding. Summer pinching
of the most vigorous shoots, as well as
n rubbing off the feeble ones which al
! ways appear in greater or less numbers
: upon ali cultivated vines, are very i'm
y portant operations. Annual pruning
4 Of grapcvines is generally conceded to
o be necessary, but tho equally essential
r manipulation in Summer is far too fire.
: qucntly neglected; hence the numer-
@ Gus complaints of failure to obtain well
n ripencd fruit or vigorous canes for use
Q the following season. A lew canes, and
[ those of vigorous, sturdy growth, are
4 far preferable to q great number and
G all weak and slender. The former are
# seldom secured without attention in
c Summer, no matter how carefully the