The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-02-16
PRUNING IN THE FRUIT ORCH
ARD.

ARD.
While the winter season is one of
some leisure to the Orchardist, it ought
not to be one of entire inactivity, for
there is pruning to be doe, and it's
proper performance is a matter Of
much importar ce. The young orchard
may need but little hard work, but it
will need much head work, for on it's
proper treatment now will depend
whether or not it is to afford pleasure
and profit in after years.
The young apple orchard needs little
more than the thinning out of branches
where they are too thick, and the
shortening in of others that may need
it to give good shape to the future tree.
1t is by judicious work in this way in
the early years Of an orchard that we'll
formed, beautiful trees are developed.
There is no gain in having branches
too low. Prune them up to five or six
feet, that getting about undt them is
practicable. Large trees often need no
pruning. Some times where branch
is unthrifty, it is better to cut it cut,
to induce a new healthy one to take it's
place. And where such large trees
have not been well pruned when young,
there may be large limbs which need
cutting out that others may be bene.
flied. When such is the case, saw off
close to the trunk, and paint the scar
TO prevent decay.
Much the same rules apply to prun-
ing the pear as to the apple, buG as it
makes more branches when young, it
nee ds closer attention at that time.
Very often good sized trees are seen
with far too many branches on them.
The tendency Of almost all prUners is
to leave too many branches. Do not
let them interlace each other. The
time to cut them out when they show
tendency to do this, is when they are
quite young. Cut them off close to the
limb they start from, that no buds will
be left to start afreeh. The large, round
buds of winter are the ones that bear
the f1wers. SINE times in pruning it
is we'll to observe them, as it some
times occurs that it is desirable GER
tain kind should flower the coming
season. Bearing trees will often have
their branches bro ught out of shape by
the weight of fruit Prune such crooked
branches in such way that good
outline will be kept up.
The cherry needs little pruning after
the first few years, and, in fac5, what
it needs at first is but little to give it
outline. It is unwise to cut it much
after it gets large, as it is tree which
resents cutting, healing slowly, and
when old, some times not at all. For
the same reason care should be taken
not to bruise the bark of this tree
Peaches andapricots are little pruned
as usually seen, and yet few fruit trees
are more benefited by it. Should there
be no Joung wood there will be no
fruit. Lett to grow as they will, which
is the usual way, what little young
growth is made is at the extremity of
long branches. Pruned little every
year, there is young wood over all the
tree, from near the ground to the top.
Do not let s5rong shoots go unpruned.
Not only is a little winter pruning
good, that of summer, performed while
growth is still going on, is perhaps
| better.
In regard to the plum, what has been
said of the pear applies to it very well.
Keep the branches from getting too
thick. Fewer branches, permitting of
more air and light to the remainder,
would bring better fruit to many a
tree. Watch the plum, to cut out dis
eased branches as soon as seen, be it
winter or summer.
/ have the best success with ounces
when prune them we'll A lot of old
wood is of no use to them. There must
be good many strong young shoots
for succession to get fruit. Cut out
some of the ole or shoots yearly, not al
together, but well back, to get supply
of young shoots, In this way the trees