The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-06-29
June Pruning.

The best season for pruning fruit
trees VIII probably never be settled to
the satisfaction of everybody; but
while differences of opinion exist they
viii and should be discussed Much
of this difference grows out of the fact
that men lose sight of the real end
sought in the operation, for it is true
that the most diverse objects are
sought to be reached by pruning. Men
prune 10 increase the vigor of their
trees-they prune TO check their vigor
they prune to make them grow
they prune to make bear-they prune
to make them more upright, and also
make them more spreading. If all
these ends are reached by pruning land
they may be- il is evident that the OPP
Grafton must be performed at different
times and in different ways.
The design of most persons in prun-
ing is, simply, to remove superfuous
and chafing branches. But this oper-
alton is so frequently followed by an
increased instead of diminished num-
Der of branches, that many have been
led to think that pruning only aug
ments the evil it was designed TO re-
move. a little attention TO the nature
of the tree and the laws of vegetable
growth will explain the cause of these
undesirable results. Cutting q tree
back or pruning it between the time
growth ceases in the fall and the time
it starts in the spring, tends to increase
the vigor of the tree, for TIE reason
that there is a deposit of plant food
made in the different parts of the tree
during the cessation of growth, for the
sap is seldom entirely inactive during
this season. If, therefore, the tree is
deprived of a part of its branches at
this time while il retains all its roots,
the same amount Of matter that would
have been distributed among the many
branches is deposited in those that are
left, hence the buds push with greater
vigor, and in many cases adventitious
buds push out and produce water
sprouts.
1t is from this cause that many have
been led TO believe that pruning only
makes the matter worse. On the 9TH
Ell hand, if pruning is delayed till the
seasons growth is nearly completed,
say in July or August, the destruction
or removal of any considerable portion
of the leaves after the resources of the
tree have been largely exhausted by
the seasons growth, the balance exist
ing between the roots and branches. is
destroyed, and the result is the growth
is checked and the vitality of the tree
is reduced. If these statements are IN
accordance with the laws that govern
tree growth, and | assume that they
are, then ii would follow that pruning
during the fail, winter or early spring,
would increase the vigor and enlarge
the production of wood in the tree,
while pruning in late summer would
have the opposite effect of checking
growth and producing fruitfulness.
But in most cases Of pruning, neither
of these ends is sought, but the desire
is only to remove surplus branches,
and those that crowd or chafe: and
that the growth of the tree may not be
affected by either increasing or dimin-
ishing its vigor, such time should be |
chosen as will come between these two |
extremes. This time has beeL found |
to be about the time the tree is max
ing its most vigorous growth, late in
May or early in June. This is the con-
clusion from theory, and a quite ex-
tensive observation and considerable
experience have proved to me the cor
rectness of the theory. Trees pruned |
at this season are healthy, vigorous
and fruitful, and are not apt to be
greatly troubled with annual growth
Of water sprouts.
Wounds made at this season of the
year-if properly made-heal over
more readily think, than those made
at any other season Of the year. Those
who have trees that need pruning
would do well TO give this theory tri-
al and note the results, as, if it is with
them as it has been with me, they will
be satisfactory. j. 4. in Ohio
Farmer.