Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-25

APPLE TREE ADVICE.

The following is going around on its merits,
and is worthy to travel, but the writer is not
known to US or the paper in which it was
found: ra.... js<
Whether to prune apple orchards in win
ter or summer, is matter of doubt to many.
Numerous theories or reasons are advanced
by the 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 expert
ments, must say that am strongly in fa'
vor of winter pruning The impression is
too general that apple trees need cutting down
when some of the larger limbs are decayed,
and that young trees should be put in their
places A little careful pruning and atten.
tion is usually all that is required, and will
nearly always be amply repaid; besides,
more fruit will frequently be obtained from
one full.grown tree in one season, when prac.
tically treated, than young one would bear
after waiting ten-perhaps fifteen years.
This may seem like queer advice for nurse
ryman to give, but some of them have for
their motto "pro bono publico," as we'll as
other members of the community. The prop.
er way to do in case it is thought best to re-
new the orchard, is to plant out young trees
between the old ones, if there is sufficient
space; or, still better, to plant them in new
location, if suitable spot can be found.
Then give the old trees good attention until
the others come into bearing, or until the
space occupied by the old trees is needed for
the development of the new Ones.
The apple tree in most sections of the ceun-
try, is much longer lived than is generally
supposed. By intelligent pruning and treat
ment, it will live for sixty or seventy years,
and frequently much longer. In pruning old
apple orchards, remove any dead branches
by cutting them off little behind the de-
cayed portion, or close to one Of the main
limbs. If the branches are large, then
first cut little on the under side with 8
hatchet or saw, so as to meet the first incision-
This will prevent that unsigbtly appearance
so often seen, where limb, in breaking off,
carries with it portion of the bark, or splits
off portion of the sound limb that should
have been left. If the limb is to be severed
near the trunk, or its juncture with another
branch, cut it off from one half to three inches
from its base, according to the size of the
limb to be cut of: At this distance the .di-
ameter of the limb was not so great as close
to the tree, and when cut in this manner, the
wood will heal over more quickly. Then,
again, less saving is required, which; to some,
will probably be powerful reason for per-
forming the work in right manner. The
trees will not, perhaps, look quite so we'll
when trimmed in this way, but we should try
and educate our taste up to this condition of
affairs, as long as it is the proper. method.
In pruning all trees, young shoots should
be carefully guarded and saved, reserving, of
course, only so many of them as will be re-
quired to keep the tree in good shape. Trim
out also some of the inner branches, 80 as to
let in the sun. Severe pruning should not be
performed at one time, but, when necessary,
the pruning should be extended over two or
three seasons, so as not to give the tree too
much of check. In young and growing or
chards less pruning is required; only suf d.
cieut to keep up the appearance of the tree,
and to cut out any interlaeipg boughs -