The record-union., 1893-11-17

every period of rest new roots have to
start again: by newly planted trees they
VIII start the quickest at the cuts made
by planting. The roots must be thinned
out like the tops, and so pruned that
three or four main roots of POSSIBLE equal
size run out from the trunk in equal dis
tances from each other. The sap always
rises vertical II the tree, and when one
side is more freely supplied than the
other, 1t will cause the top on this side to
grow stronger, and it will be only with
constant labor and loss to keep the tree
balanced. When all these points in plant
ing are strictly observed, much labor will
be saved in further years. People gen.
orally don't know that much trouble can
be avoided by careful planting, but au-
thorltles who have made lifelong study
OF frult-groWlng agree on these points.
PRUNING.
We prune in order to produce every
year regularly good crop of the most
perfect fruit by the least exertion of the
ground possible, which is the true econ
omy of fruit-growing. The lower the
tree can be started the better it is. but
means must be provided to plow and
cultivate close to the tree. During the
tirst summer after planting good care
should be taken in starting the tree.
select four to six, at the most, young
shoots as soon as they are almost
twelve inches long. They should have
an equal distance between each other and
from the center OF the face, which should
be open. All other shoots that might
have started should be pinched well back,
which viii give the selected ones the lead,
which they will maintain. 1t also must
be observed that all of them grow equally
strong. This can be easily regulated by
bending the weaker ones upward, verti-
cal, and the stronger ones more down.
ward. horizontal, temporarily, as it may
be required. To many growers, this
might seem too much trouble, but it is
well worth it, as il is apt to advance their
trees whole season.
The pruning afterward must be ad-
justed to the variety, soil and climate, and
must be left TO the good judgment of the
grower. The aim should be TO spread the
tree as much and as quick as possible, in
order to make use of all the space avail
able. All main branches should have
plenty light and air. in order to ripen and
strengthen the wood. They should be
set with fruit spurs or twigs from the
bottom to the top IN equal distances,
which also must be thinned and short
ened as it may be required. Fruit should
be distributed evenly over the tree, there
should be as much as the tree can readily
perfect, and no more. Beside the tree
must grow each year new and thrifty
attended 10 pruning, there will be but
thinning of fruit necessary. Not enough
care can be taken by pruning and thin
ming. 1t should be always in accord with
the growth and thriftiness of the tree.
Ii strong growing branches are cut too
short they will kick off the fruit buds or
push through; that means they will grow
a new branch instead of fruit. All cuts
made on leading branches should be
above bud, facing outside, as it will pro-
duce the continuation OF the branch. The
shorter the branches are cut, the more
they are inclined to produce wood, aud
less fruit. The longer they are cut, the
more they are inclined toIproduce fruit,
and less wood. If early in the summer
all unnecessary young shoots are re-
moved, are pinched heavily, it will be to
the benefit of the remaining ones and
the fruit.
1t should be tried to produce fruit bear
ing wood as low as possible, in order to
keep the branches from breaking by the
weight of the fruit, and make the tree
more Stocky.
Not enough stress can be laid upon to
start tree properly, it should be done
sidered it will save much trouble and
sorrow in the future.
IRRIGATION.
At the close would like to make a few
remarks about irrigating. AS it is rather
expensive to irrigate large tracts of
land, many people endeavor to save
expenses by it. | have observed
frequently that irrigating is started too
late after the ground has already become
dry. AS soon as the sap begins to flow
less vigorous the tree will begin to pro-
vide for another year by forming wood,
fruit buds and depositing the different
substances taken from the ground. Now,
after irrigatlng commences this will be
reversed again and much time and water
wasted. The ground must be kept as
near as possible at the same degree of
moisture throughout the season.
The mode of irrigation which has given
the best satisfaction is the one by bitches.
These bitches should traverse the ground
from the trunk as far as the branches
reach. The most active roots are the ones
tarthest from the trunk and at the greatest
depth; this should be reached by water
foremost. No more water should be
turned in ditch than is su tficient to reach
the end, and should be allowed to run in
this manner from twenty-four to forty
eight hours uninterruptedly. 1t takes
more time to saturate the ground than is
generally supposed.
The belief is largely entertained that
fruit from irrigated trees is not as highly
favored, and contains more water: it is
consequently not as well adapted to
shipping and drying. Only when water
is used in excess this will occur. If the
ground does not retain moisture enough
to dissolve plant food in sufficient quanti-
ties, it should be irrigated in order to
succeed. This shows that poor land can
be easily over-irrigated.
The early fruit irrigation should be con-
tinued after the fruit is gathered, so the
tree may complete its growth in order TO
provide for the succeeding year.