Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-02-04

III d COuFeISd'lOn Nltn an AlUl report CT, w. G. Klee, state inspector of fruit pests, gave the following practical hints m regard to pruning trees: The object of pruning ought tp te, ill the first place, tue production of vigorous trees, capable of bearing the largest quantity of well developed fruit. To reach tLis we must aim at developing the natural, inherent form and symmetry of the variety in question. In California it has been found that shape by which the tree is made to protect its trunk from the hot rays of the sun is the most suitable. Of the different systems of pruning the so- called, goblet shape" seems to come nearest to perfection.
 One of the chief aims of pruning ought to be the productions of the fruit evenly over all parts of the tree which are able to sustain its weight, and also te make 1t within easy reach. It is evident that different species of fruit require different manners of pruning, and even the differ ent varieties of each species will ditfel considerably. But l may give general l'rufes which will apply-eo certain groups of fruits equally and will start with the | first pruning: Practical experience has proved that nearly all deciduous fruits will succeed best with moderately low | trunk, say about Uw feet high. In this the tree should be cut off three feet from the ground, thus allowing space of one foot for the development of the main branches. I emphasize this fact, be- cause frequently too small space is left be
 tween the main branches, thus causing them, in the future, to spring almost from the same poiut rendering them liable to splitting by the weight of the fruit. 1 am not in favor of growing trees with no trunk at all, as they alsD have tendency to split, owing to the | great weight of t he tops. The branches have again atendancy to become bare be- low, and consequently sunburued, which will render them liable to the attack of borers. Thus the very object that was
 aimed at, namely, shading of the trunk" will be defeated
 | When the buds have started on the tree, all below two feet should be rub bed of, and later of the more vigorous only three or four should be left. Previ- ously the trunk must be protected i'll some way, either by wrapping with straw, or what is more preferable, by placing a
 shake, split in two, on the south and
 west sides of the tree, which will prevent
 sunburn until tue branches throw shade
 enough of themselves.
 Thus far the apple, pear, plum, cherry,
 peach, almond and apricot have been
 treated alike With the the second year
 we must make some difference. The ap-
 pie, pear, plum and cherry may yet be
 treated Ill the same mannel. From the
 remaining selected branches of last years $
 growth tn ere is cut from one-half to two thirds of their length, just above d bud which points outward. In case the var
 iety is of d spreading growth, it will be
 well to cut at bud which is not turned outward, but to one side As genera rule the tendency of trees Is to run to ,,l gether, and in most cases cutting aU tht
 outward bud will hold good If iron
 some accident only two branches htvt been formed, one of these must be re } moved and the other one should be treat ed in just the same manner as a one yea old tree. Under no chromosomes shoul( tree be allowed to develop on two mail branches, as the tree some day, sooner O later, will split and be-ruined.
 The pruning of the peach, especially Il interior valleys, where it develops witl great rapidity, is slightly different. It i
 advisable to retain more branches thal the other varieties, and the fact that 3 bears in the current years wood, and on that only, mrst be taken into consider
 alloE.
 In the third year the pear, apple an( cherry my be still classed together. w 3 have now at least double the number 0
 branches of last year. All these, If il
 the right position, will be retained These are again cut from one-half t & two thirds of their growth, according t f their position and vigor. It should b the aim to prevent as aIuch as p1sslbl t l any two branches growing equally strong 5 If they are exactly of equal length the
 should be cut at different lengths. B
 having attention to this tine forming C forks liable to split will be avoided. Al buds along a branch should be made { I start and the lower ones become frri
 spurs, while the end ones form the lead l. CTS or maln branches. Shortening ( u leaders every year is done to regulate tn o proportion of fruit spurs to wood growth n If it is found that there IS no develop & ment of the basal buds, 1t means tha .. the shoots need more shortening in. 0 the other hand, if there is too muc development of wood branches 1t mean r that the shoots must be left longer # Superfiuous wood branches must be eitht d converted into fruit spurs or remove
 with clean cut. This ctn be done
 pinchIng Ill summer, or, ill the case y apples and pears, by cutting back to on . or two uf the almost dormant buds at tl ', base Uf each branch. If tree IS t. ; vigorous 1t will produce weak brancl
 which, when treated as before, WI 'r eventually become fruit spur.
 n In the case of plums and apricots u ,r branch should not be cut so close, as u
 fruit spurs are longer than either appl
 or pears. Cherries generally will ha' enough fruit spurs, but If not sum III
 pine hlng Is preferable.
 , The peach, i'll its thIrd year, ill goo lg region, IS in bearing, and requires d go, w deal of thinning out of branches. 1T m fact referred to before, of it's bearing ,
 last years wood, must De taken into f, consideration. Its pruning after t UT time of bearing must aim at continu Id replacement of the second years wC vn with that of last year The want