New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-09-10
Girdling Fruit Trees.

The statement was made by some
one not long since in the Register that
it was advantageous in making vines
and fruit-trees to bear sooner and more
abundantly to girdle the trees. Since
then we have been frequently inquired
Of how and when such girdling should
be done, as we'll as for q reasonable
solution of why it should have that
effect. The agricultural editor. has
never experimental in that way, but
some ten years ago, on Melrose Farm,
span of spirited horses, hitched to .
wagon, got away from the driver and
ran through the orchard, running over
and badly barking some dozen trees.
This was early in June. The next year
these trees, and especially on the limbs
most barked and SCARED, we're full Of
fruit, while there was very limited
quantity on the balance of the orchard
But what is the philosophy of this
girdling trees or vines to make them
bear fruit? Trees and vines do not
grow merely by the absorption of moist
ure and material direct from the earth.
1t is true the roots take up from the
earth the water and mineral matter
necessary for plant growth, but it does
not 60 directly to the part where it il
to stay. But these 60 up, not between
the bark and wood, but in the body of
the tree or vine to the leaves, where it
is combined with the carbon which is
absorbed by the leaves, and goes
through Natures secret laboratory Of
combining water. mineral and carbon,
until they are sufficiently digested to
be used as wood growth, when it passes
downward and is deposited in the iniin-
itessimal cells beneath the bark. So
that the growth is made by the down.
ward flow of this prepared material for
wood growth.
Now, II the tree or vine be girdled.
on the body or limbs, this prepared
sap cannot pass below where the bark
is taken of, and consequently that part
above the girdle receives more than its
share of sap. while none is supplied to
the body below the girdle. Thus the
limbs are crowded with growth food,
which causes the development Of fruit
buds-makes the limbs grow faster and
the fruit larger. But this process, il
the main body Of the tree is thus oper-
dSV1O VAAs WILL Ia tuc Cuu 1ulA tU0 tEO0s
The body and roots must have nourish-
ment as well % the branches, and this
girdling deprive them Of this support.
II this system Is practiced at all, it
should be on only part, leaving the
ungirdled limbs 10 supply nourishment
to the balance Of the tree. June is the
time girdling is done, which is only in
tended as preparatory to the next
years crop. It is claimed, however.
that girdling in June makes more per-
feet development Of the fruit then on
the limbs.
Girdling is done by taking ont rim
0f}bark entirely around the tree, limb
or.vine, not over one fourth Of an inch
wide. Sometimes this space il healed
up the first year, but certainly tho sec
ond year, il the tree be not too feeble and
sickly. We advise all to 60 slowly and
carefully in this matter. But tits wor-
thy Of an experiment BY al.
But yet there are many things which
aeed studying, and diverse mattars
should be reconciled. One contends
that girdling stops the rapid growth
Of the tree, and causes more abundant
iruitags. Another that girdling causes.
an abnormal growth Of the limb, anA
the largely Increased production 6
fruit Great are the mysteries q Ne
turs. Iospa 6tase Asoiates.