Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-01-28
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Winter Treatment of Apple Orchards

Whether to prune apple orchards 10 win
ter or summer is a matter of doubt to many.
Numerous theories or reasons are advanced
by supporters Of each season, and many Of
them are deserving of careful attention.
After weighing carefully much that has
been said on each side, and after frequent
experiments l must say that am strongly in
favor of winter pruning. INCLINATION and
desire to make it as much Of a pastime as
possible were also powerful incentives, l
must acknowledge, in leading me to this
decision. One OF the questions was, whether,
with the thermometer nearly in the nineties.
to take up saw and go into the orchard
at a time when the least exertion would
drench an individual with a shower OF per-
spiration, or whether TO wait for pleasant
days during the winter, when little healthy
exercise would be truly welcomed. In many
localities those in search Of exercise have
no forest trees to practice upon, such as
ex.Premier Gladstone Of Eogan has, who,
frequently, to relieve himself Of the tedi-
business of inactiou or for the sake Of recrea-
ton, goes out into his parks aud chops down
immense forest trees, and this is done with
the skill of practical woodsman. However
nearly all of us have orchards to which we
can 60 when change from the pursuits of
indoor life is desired, aud what might be q
task 10 summer proves a pleasure in winter.
The impression is too general that apple
trees need cutting down when some Of the
larger limbs are decayed, aud that yOlng
trees should be put in their places A little
careful pruning and attention is usually all
that is required, and will nearly always be
amply repaid, besides more fruit will fire..
queutly be obtained from one full grown
| tree in one season when practically treated,
than young tree would bear after waiting
ten, perhaps fifteen years. This may seem
like queer advice for q nurseryman to give,
but some Of them have for their motto pro
bono publico, as we'll as other members Of
the community. The proper way to do in
case it is thought best to renew the orchard,
is to plant out young trees between the old
OnOs if there Is sufficient space or, still bet
ter, to plant them in u new location if a
suitable spot can be found. Then give the
old trees good attention until the others
come into bearing, or until the space occu-
pied by the old trees is needed for the devsl-
opment OF the new ones.
The apple tree in most sections Of the
country is much longer lived than is gener.
ally supposed. BY intelligent pruning aud
treatment they will live sixty or seventy
years, aud frequently much longer la
pruning old apple orchards remove any
dead branches by cutting them of a little
behind the decayed portion, or close to one
of the main limbs. II the branches are
large, then first cut little on the underside
with hStchet or saw, aud afterWArd saw
from the upper side so as to meet the first
incision. This will prevent that unsightly y
appearance no often seen, whore the limb il
breaking off carries with it portion Of th'
bark, or splits of portion of the sound
limb that should have been left. If the
limb is to be severed near the trunk, or at
its juncturs with another branch, then cut il
off from one-balf to three inches from lts
base according to the size Of tho limb to be
cut off. At this distance the diameter oi
the limb is not so great as close to the tree
. and when cut in this manner the wound will
heal over more quickly. Then, again, les
saving is usually required, which to som
a will probably be a powerful reason for per
forming tho work N a right manner. Th'
trees will not, perhaps look quite 50 wei
0 when trimmed in this way, but We shOulC
! try aud educate our taste up to this condi
tion Of affairs as long as it is the pr0Pe
+, method.
=. 10 pruning old trees young shoots Shoul
|, be carefully guarded aud saved, reservinl
It of course, only SO many Of them as will b
d required TO keep the tree in good snaps
Prune cut also some of the inner branchs
o 50 as to let 10 the SUI. Severe PruniD