The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-26
FARM, FIELD, GARDEN
Importance of Summer Pruning
of Trees and Shrubs.
THE TIME TO MARKET HONEY
The Rest Breeds OF Cows for the
Dairy-How 90 Make Cio-
yer Hay.

Intelligent pruning is one Of the most
important points of garden and orchard
practice, and when judiciously pruned a
tree or shrub can be made TO work won-
ders Pruning in the garden is for two
fold object: 20 give beauty and shape TO
the shrubs and trees. and 20 increase their
fruit and foliage. The first depends upon
the taste and inclinations of the owner.
but the latter are subject 70 the immutahie
laws of nature. Too much pruning will
rob the growths Of their strength and vital
ity. snd too little pruning will probably
permit them 10 overgrow in useless shoots
and wood. Ignorant pruning viii Kill:
intelligent pruning will give life.
II shrubs and trees are pruned for fow-
ers and foliage, summer pruning is q good
practice, for then ali the surplus wood and
suckers can be cut out. Wounds which
are cut clean in midsummer will heal more
quickly than those made in frosty weather.
Naples, hirches, yellowwood and many
other trees bleed copiousiy when their
branches are cut when IN full leaf. Where
there IS an extensive collection of shrubs
and trees, constant attention. and II may
he constant pruning, viii be required.
This is especially true where tender and
coarse growing plants are growing to-
gether, or the latter viii soon kill the
tender ones by their great growth.
The true way 10 prune shrubs
and trees IS TO give them thorough in
telligent pruning ST the oatsei, and then
the stronger shoots shoald be pinched
back with the thumb and finger every
summer. This viii hasten the growth OF
the towering buds and i viii also ripen up
the wood and leave it in good condition 10
stand the cold Of winter. Trees that are
naturally tender can often ne made CON-
parativeiy hardy by this summer pincking
process. This IS especially true ii wet
seasons, when the branches continue 20
grow until the frost kills them
In the fruit orchard this same principle
holds. and many Of the te71er fruit trees
could be hardened a1sreat deal by more Of
this summer pruning with the thumb and
finger. another advantage is obtained in
this way. If the new growth IS stopped
onoe or twice in the summer on young
trees, the apples, peaches, plums, flberts
and many Others can be made 10 produce
large quantities of fruit when very small
Peach trees Eve or SIX feet high viii pro-
duce loads of peaches simply IS result OF
this summer pinehing back II the trees
are growing vigorously al Of the strength
and vitality Of the growth goes TO form
new wood and foliage, while the flower
buds suffer. The summer psnching checks
the Gov OF the sap, and causes the buds TO
be developed.
A great many Of our fruit trees ripen
their fruit when ail OF the strong shoots
above the fruit are stopped by punching,
and this Is another point which IS Of great
advantage 10 young trees. The size Of the
trees in the end may be permanently
dwarfed BY this process If carried on TO
any extent. but this loss of size Is more
than compensated for nv the superior
hardness and tonghness Of the wood, and
the superior quality and quantity of the
fruit Size in fruit trees IS not always de-
sirable, for too often nothing more than
that comes with it. The true way 10 train
the young fruit trees Is begin with them
early, and see that all of the wood formed
is good, solid. substantial and useful
Keep up the process OF ripening all Of the
new growth every season. and grove Of
fine fruit trees viii soon be produced In
short, summer pruning and pinching back
are indispensable, for they give new
yigor and nourishment 70 the trees and
shrubs. s. W. CHAMBERS.
Ohio