Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-03-18

1t is very desirable at this season of the
year to scrape off the surface of the old bark
from fruit trees. Not only are thousands of
the Larvae of insects which would otherwise
develop TO the injury of the tree, thus de-
stroyed, but greater activity on the surface is
induced as in diseases of the lungs surface
action is deemed vitality important, so with
growing fruit trees, if we would throw of
disease and induce healthy growth.
In scraping off the outer portion of the
bark, care should be taken not to scrape too
closely. A triangular piece of iron or steel
about three inches each way, with edges
sharpened, screwed on to a handle three On
long, makes very good scraper- a part feet
not - be too gsRds, one or both > 1t should
I live stocl- =,..Ip, II made of steel. After
scraping it is better to wash the trees
with soap-suds pretty strong, then white
wash. large paint brush, or even,a bunch
of bristles into which handle has been driv-
en-, is better than whitewash brush. 1t will
not waste so much of the wash.
Tent caterpillar eggs can now be easily
seen and destroyed, and thus save their un-
slightly ravages and much of the damage
which they will occasion if neglected. The
damage occasioned by this pest is far great
err than appears on the tree on which their
depIedations are seen. By taking off the ten
der leaves they destroy the lungs Of the tree,
whose lungs were none too large for its
healthy growth and the perfecting of its fruit.
The injury consequently is carriedintothe next
year, weakening all the energies of the tree.
We have seen trees waste away as by con-
sumption, by allowing the tent caterpillar to
have his own way for successive years, while
whole orchards are sometimes seen draw
ing the sickly breath OF lie from the annual
destruction of a considerable portion of their
| leaves.
Pruning will occupy the attention of the
fruit grower, and farmer as well. Every year
we have to speak on this subject not be-
cause large number of our readers do not
| know enough about it. To them what we say
will seem stale-repetition-but we have an
nually large list of new subscribers eager for
| instruction. For their benefit we say, never
allow an ak to enter the orchard. Axmen will
tell you that they can strike to 'hair's
| breadth and not miss" Don't trust them.
| We have done it to our sorrow. A good saw
well set, or what is better, lightning prun.
ing saw, will enable one to cut of limb as
quickly as is profitable. Cut little from the
underside of the limb first, if the branch be
large, then saw from the upper side, to meet
the cut from beneath. This will prevent the
tearing of the bark and sap wood as the
branch falls Many hired primers will not dc
this unless there is an eye upon them.
broad chisel set firmly into a wooden
handle, so as to be struck with mallet wher
placed on branch to be severed, enables the
operator to stand on the ground and do eff
fective and rapid work. We can not recon
mend the purchase of any of the numberles
pruning shears for tree pruning. They re
quire too much muscle for ordinary and con
tinued work The pole pruning saw ant
chisel, with an extension hook on one side o
the chisel, if such could be found, would be
most desirable instrument for removing
branches beyond the reach of the ordinary
pruning saw. The handle should be six o
eight feet long, the saw fifteen inches tn
chisel four inches wide, quite thin, with al
extension hook from four to six inches long
This hook enables the operator to draw tn
small branches cut off, by the saw or chisel
from the tree. We have never seen the i'm
plement with the hook attachment, yet il
very important
Trees should all be pruned so as 10 ALLOW
air and sunlight to enter among the branohe
; freely. No better illustration cen l. give
than to make the maiu branches stand on
from the tree like the TO Il in an inverted un
brella. Allow no breashes to cross each otl
or, nor allow main branches TO grow too clOs'
ly parallel to each other. There is hardl
any danger of leaving the branches too oper
The branch should be cut close, SO as
allow it to heal over as soon as possible witt
4 out scar. 1t greatly expedites this healin
= over and protracts the life of the tree, to Co
Q err the wound with boiled linseed oil in whiC
q pure clay mas been stirred to the consistenC
of common paint 1t is better than SHELF
: Varnish.
Cions should be cut before the sap start
: and buried in the soil to preserve them fres
= As soon as the buds show signs of swellin
n grating may be commenced. Work on
v when the frost is out of the branches.-OO
: Ohio Farmer.