Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-29
PR UNING,

AT the meeting Of the District of Columbia Hor.
ucultural Society. on Wednesday evening, Mr..
WIN. Saunders, OF the Agricultural department.
read the following Interesting remarks On
pruning:
The laws OF nature are constant and unya-t1d
IA thelr operations. Our knowledge OF THESE
laws Is derived from accurate obSeryaJ ons O;
causes and effects. What we call Scir-n 4. 4,
merely the systematized explanation OF these.
observations When, therefore we allu.e 10 thp
science OF pruning, u simply means the ella ST lei
knowledge, or concentrated evidence OF effect,
produced by cutting the branches or other DOL
uons or plants, which has been derived from III,
accumulated experience gained by obServatiOu
curing the centuries which have ELAPSED sine,
pruning has been performed, and when we con
sloer the countless repetitions OF similar pre-
ceSSeS ending IN similar results IL Is reasonable
10 suppose that a sufficient number of facts
nave oeen observed 10 establish a very perfect
science.
Pruning trees, for whatever purpose. Is an
operation or importance as may be more fully
understood II we briefly consider the economy
OF plant growth When a seed Is deposited In
suitable terminating medium its first efforts Is
10 seDd root downwardS In the earth, and
then push shoot upwards In the air. The see
contains Within Itself all the nutrimenU neccs-
sary Tor this process; but as soon as the young
plant Is 50 far formed, its mode OF existence l.
changed and 1t becomes dependent upon the
SOIL and atmosphere for future support The
elementary = substances absorbed by the roots
undergo decomposition through the Influence
or the leaves aid The material is thus prrpared
lOr further root growth and extension. Tne
r0O's nave no Inherent power OF extension, but
are dependent upon the health and action OF the
IOHagt; and, although, during termination OF
the plant the roots are first formed their growth
Is due TO substances In the seed which have
Deth elaborated oy the action OF leaves on the
FlaLt which produced IL. IL Is therefore aD-
parent that The Increase In size or the plant the
quantity ana quality OF It's Secret1Ons and the ex-
lealJhy action or leaves.
Roots are formed without the immediate ac-
IloL OF leaves. as examples, cuttings roofing
ny SC1ni Is and other bulS-Jre Jraflspian rpi In
The fail. We thus see how essential the foliage
Is 10 the development OF the plant. There Is a
reciprocal action between the roots and the
branches, any disturbance or which must H.
frnge upon the beautiful system OF harmony
and y npathy which naturally exists, so that
every cTdnch, or even leaf removed must have
an eHect either FOR good or evil upon the plant.
80 lar as merely vigorous growth Is concerned
IN nealIny tree, IL IS safe TO assume that prun-
Ing or any Kind Is an evil. But as trees are not
always cult attd for their wood alone but also
LOT lAer lrult, II Is found advisable 10 do lit
Tie evil, In the way OF pruning the branches.
so lhat more good may come In the result OF
better ana larger crops OF fruit; and 10 accom-
push TINS In a satisfactory manner. and at the
SaIne uIDe Lot 10 materially affect the health OF
The tree. Is The iiLn OF all Intelligent cultvaors
10 procure the greatest development In a
plant, II should be let alone, most severely. so
lar as pruning Is concerned; pruning will not
help IL any, Ga the contrary it will weaken IL
more or less We have heard remarks made
are increasing Easter than the roots. 1t Is difi-
cult even 10 conceive such a condition OF aft airs
ID healthy tree. AS well might it be said that
the fly wheel OF piece of machinery is acduir-
Ing more power than the engine which Is pro-
peuing IL. We may rest assured that TO get the
largest amount OF development In a plant we
must not remove even single leaf during the
period OF active growth We Frequently meet In
horticultural sayings and doingS, the automatic
formula TO prune In summer for fruit and In
winter for wood growth. Trees that are barren
from over luxuriant growth are rendered pro-
Cuctlye by REFRESHING growth, &C.
a Tree which has grown undiSturbed from
seed Will be equally balanced, so 10 speak, be-
tween the roots and branches &C., sc.
winter pruning has tendency 10 inyigurate
the growth OF wood, or, rather IL may be more
accurately stated, the removal or portion OF
The shoots and buds encourage stronger
growth In those which are retained. The vtgor
OF the plant instead OF being expended In the
production or many slender growIhs Is concen-
Hated ID few buds which are thus fmbued
with greater vigor, and this Is Of much value In
imparung strength TO shoots, and, as In the
case OF The grape, encourages the formation OF
young WOOD or strength TO bear fruit, instead
OF producing great number OF shoots, none of
which may be strong enough to AFFORD strong
flUit buds