Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-03-13
rAnM Ann noUsEnoLD.

PRUNING. season approaches for
owners OF fruit trees. grape vines and
shrubbery TO have them properly prun-
ed, since much depends on this york Ia
obtain success.
The question arises, how Is ir to be
done, a. even few gardeners have an
icea how to distribute the flow Of sap
so as to give the tree symmetrical form,
or understand the formation OF fruit
buds. Under no consideration should
pruning shears be used on pears, apples,
cherries or plum trees. The buds OF
these trees Arc close together, the best
of shears will bruise the bark, the bud
will dry up, and the second will take
start, consequently you will have a
dried up snag from one to two Inches
long. These trees are best pruned with
a good sharp knife, or fine cutting
saw may be used on the larger limos,
In order to make a clean cut, which
will heal Up nicely. Also observe
closely that you cut to an eye which
will start the new growth away from
the centre Of the tree. Most trees have
a tendency to grow TOO thick In the
centre, and to prevent this, prune the
way designated. Where large limbs are
close together, take small stick, sharp
EN- 1t so that it tapers on both ends,
brace It between these limbs; after
awhile they will stay so separated.
On grape vines the shears may be
used if you should cut too close to an
eye it may bleed, and make a weak
growth, and the two-year-old wood Is
removed to make room for last years
growth.
Nothing is gained by leaving your
main branches too long. Everywhere
YOU may observe old grape vines which
have few struggling branches left on.
The dow of sap, if not restrained, has
a tendency to run TO the extrenities,
the consequence being that the lower
laterals cannot obtain their share of
sap, and will therefore make weak
growth; in a few years will dry mp al
together, and leave an unsightly trunh.
American F1mer.
The PIG PEN.-Neither is the hog q
dirty animal when decenty treated. 1t
Is exposure, slovenly surroundings, i'm
proper food and dirty drink that make
herds of swine sicken and die off. This
is becoming understood at last.
The MODEL pen is built in two parts.
One end is left OF bare earth for the an :
finals to root In as they like. At the
other is raised floor, elevated eight to
ten inches from the ground. Here the
hogs have cry, covered place to sleep
in. The floor ia made of strips nailed
on a quarter of an inch apart, so that
the moisture may run through. Upon
this IL placed straw. Roofing into straw
stacks and heaping together under them
hogs. Then, the next thing, they will
be exposed, unprotected, to the north
erly blizzard, steaming hot rs they are.
When they take cold and die 1t is visi-
tation of Providence.
The hog must also have his drink Of
clean, pure water. He is given every
abomination in his swill, from the soap
suds of the weeks wash to the contents
of soured tomato-cans. Foul water is
as hurtful to hogs as to horses or
cows, and the sooner farmers learn tn is
fact the better. The hog drinks impure
water because he is good-natured, and
doesn't refuse anything; but 1t is this
very thing which introduces the true
hog-cholera germ into him. Then when
this disease attacks him, and the herd
dies by the hundred, once more it Is Il
visitation OF Providence.