The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-02-21
lIlIES ON Horticulture.
lime AND MANNER OF PRUNING
AND "HEADING m"
The Management Of Peach, Apple and
Ounce Orchards. PrOpping
Overwhelmed Trees
BY Charles reubner.

BY Charles Teubner
Pruning fruit trees. Much as has
been said about pruning trees the fact
is he less pruning is done the better.
And the best instrument for this is
nsil--the thumb nail Apple trees, if |
rightly trimmed during the first three
gears after planting, need very little |
pruning afterward. Thumb nail prun-
ing consists IN pinching or breaking
off the tip. Of such limbs as
threaten to make much stronger
growth than Others which, If unchecked
would cause the tree to grow top
heavy OF lopsded Here, with pre-
vaihng south or southwest winds dur
ing season (and it is only at this time
that the thumb nail is Of any service)
the tendency OF growth IS to the north
or northeast, hence that side Of the
tree needs most attention. Water
sprouts or new limbs appearing later
IN the season, at points on the body
and maiu limbs where not wanted,
SHOULD be rubbed off when starting or
a few inches long. Whilst this method
requires prompt. frequent attention, it
takes less time than the knife aud saw
method Besides, the flow of sap is
MT checked aud there are no large
wounds to heal over and injure the
tree. No large limbs should be sawn
off, because of the violent check to the
system of the tree and the injury
cuused by large wounds, even after
these are healed over.
Severe pruning of large trees causes
a numerous growth Of watersprouts.
OF course there are many trees which
have been neglected for years and need
some pruning. but 1t is best to remove
only part Of the limbs one year and
the others the year following, and the
pruning should be confined to the
inside limbs and watersptouts, remov-
ing enough only to give some light
and air Apple trees should be hcded
low, two or three feet high. Such
trees are leOs effected by droutb than
those higher trained; their shade keeps
the soil moist, their fruit is easily
gathered and storms have less disastrous
effect upon them.
ALI wounds, especially where a saw
kymust be used, should be trimmed
smooth with a sharp knife or chlsel
and after drying one or two days coy
cred with white lead, thick paint OF
tar. Leave no long stubs, nor cut toe
close Nature has placed a sign on
every limb showing where It should be
severed A limb at its base resem bles
the base OF ones thumb This base
tapers off with a slight crease, the
crease running close to the body above
the limb and further out below il. Gu
on line With this crease leaves The
wound with a longer shoulder below
than above, but heals over quicker as
il leaves smaller wound than when I
N limb IS cut vertically. In heading
back the limbs on small trees alwayl
have the top bud face outward, a
i'abs grow in the direction the bud
are facing. Peach trees require con
siderable "beading in as they hav
an ungoyernable tendency to grow
upward, and If left unchecked th
lower limbs die, your fruit is at the tol
almost out Of reach until almos
grown and then, all OF sudden"
lies at the foot OF the tree. Otter
such trees (and your hopes) ar
crushed to earth by heavy sleei
Young peach trees should be heade
back the second or third year, th
strong leading shoots nearly one-hali
Propping as is usually done is 9
little avail, because the wind raises th
limb and drops the prop, or the lin
breaks of a little Beyond Its support
A prop should be placed asnear ID
end Of limb as possible and secure
to it, or the forks ofihe prop cut lonG
find the best plan is 70 brace oppt
site limbs with light rope or stor
wire, placing bits Of rigs or foIde
newspaper under the wire.
Cherries require but little prunin
beyond removing dead limbs Pear
when Yonng and Of tall grown
vsrieIies ike KiefIer and Bartlett, q