The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-04
farm and Garden.
Fruit Planting.-Continued.

varieties, we observe that apples, and
Standard pears require pretty much the
same pruning. Avoid pruning too high,
as the full force of the sun, particularly
, in the apple will occasionally destroy
the vitality of the bark on the south or
southwest side; at the same time AVOID
leaving the limbs too low down, or they
will hang over so low as to interfere with
cultivation. and the passing under the
tree to gather the fruit. Where the
branches in the interior are too thick
and where they cross over, and rub one
another they should be removed En-
deavor to do the necessary pruning while
the tree is young, so as to avoid as much
as possible the removal of large limbs.
But more or less pruning will be- required
every year or two, to thin out the body
of the tree when too thick, and to cut off
pendant limbs. Where the limbs are dis
posed to hang over too much, as is nota-
bly, the case with the Wine-sap apple,
and the Clapp Favorite pear, this may be
remedied in measure by cutting the end
of the limb so as to leave the bud or
shoot pointing up and to the interior of
the tree (when we do not think it advis-
able to remove the whole limb.) On the
other hand some trees grow too much to
the centre, with close pyramidal head :;
then cut so as to leave the bud or shoot
on the exterior of the limb, so that it
may grow away from the centre. We
notice this tendency in the Duchess Bor-
deaux, and Seclel pears and some kinds
of apples. And here, before proceeding
to other fruits, we had better indicate the
necessary instruments with which to trim,
and the preparation best to put on the
wounds made by removing the limbs
The pruning shears, large knife with
an inward curved edge, and the short
pruning saw, all of which should be sharp,
are the implements needed for pruning.
For putting on the wounds, gum shellac
dissolved in alcohol is best; put in as
much shellac as the alcohol will dissolve.
Paint, linseed OIL and other things are
also used Paint seems to answer a good
purpose. The oil probably is not per-
manent enough. These applications are
necessary to prevent cracking, particu-
larly In winter pruning, and to- keep out
the air from the end of the limbs. so that
they are kept in sound state until the
bark covers them over.
1t is generally advised in trimming the
peach tree to head back every limb every
year, until the tree attains a considerable
size, and Is in good bearing. The idea is
to thicken the head and interior of the
tree, as the peach has great tendency to
grow away from the centre, and spread
ITS limbs out, which frequently causes
them to break from the weight of the
fruit and from storms. | tried this plan
very perseveringly, and the trees when
young, presented a very handsome APP
pearance, but at last nature asserted it.
self, and the trees have now an open.
struggling appearance, with few large
limbs such as the peach tree ordinarily
presents. So that | have perceived no
benefit from it, and now would trim the
tree as apples and pears are trimmed.
guarding as much as possible against the
disposition of the limbs to hang over.
The cherry tree does not require much
pruning generally only the removing oil
the lower limbs to give body high enough
for cultivation.
The mode Of pruning the Dwarf pear
should have followed that of the Stan
dard. 1t does not require much prun-
lng-only the removal of limbs whose
fruit would hang near the ground, thin
ing out the head when very dense. and
oN'tNt'iS OlA iilHOS JlldC VI OSS one announcer.
The ounce usually requires but little
pruning. 1t may be pruned to a single
low body, or permitted to grow up with
several bodies with the limbs low to the
ground. am trying this latter plan.
Plums and damsons are to be pruned
on the same principle as the apple. They
usually require but moderate pruning
The head of the damsons require some
thinning out, when young, and they are
much disposed to put up suckers, which
of course should be removed.
The fig, as | have said before, should
be pruned to one or two bodies, and be-
sides that and the removal of suckers.
they need but little pruning.
Raspberries require considerable atten-
ton in the way of pruning, and the re-
moyal of an extra number of canes As
soon as they finish bearing the old wood
which has just borne the fruit must be
cut out, and as soon as the new canes es-
tabllsh themselves, all over five or six. ae-
cording to the strength of the land, must
be removed, and then the ends of the re-
naming canes must be cut off, where thew
begin to bend over. By doing this. the
cane sends off side branches, which will
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