Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
Timely Observations on Pruning.

1t is often urged that pruning should
be commenced when the tree is planted
and continued annually throughout the
life of the tree. 1t may be question,
however, If a proportionate amount OF
time is really saved or better growth
of trees secured by such early pruning.
The Maine experiment station Is con-
Quoting an investigation which throws
light on this subject. In its most re-
cent bulletin on orchard work that
station brings out several interesting
facts.
Attention is called to the fact that
owing to the natural balance between
the fOraging capacity of the plant and
its superficial growth the top will be
large if the root system of the tree Is
active and effective. II large part OF the
top is removed there is at once an en-
deavor to restore the balance by an un-
usually rapid growth. This results In
the development of large number OF
dormant buds in the form of water
sprouts. Pruned trees are almost al
ways more vigorous than unpruned
ones. because the food taken up by the
roots is concentrated into smaller
number of branches. Considered In
this light pruning must in measure
have the same effect as manuring.
A common, though erroneous notion,
is that the removal of large limbs from
tree is necessarily injurious. In the
practicable operations of orcharding the
removal of large limbs is frequently a
necessity. Other things being equal 80
far as Injurious effect upon tree is con-
cerned, it makes little difference whether
a large limb or numerous individual
small limbs are removed in the process
of pruning. 1t Is always advisable to
paint such wounds and thus exclude the
spors of parasitic diseases.
= HANDLING THE WATER SPROUTS.
One of the notable facts of severe
pruning and consequent disturbed equi-
iibrium of plants is the formation OF
water sprouts. The appearance OF these
seems to be influenced more by the
yigor of the plant and the amount oi
pruning than by the season OF the year
in which the work is done. 1t is prob
able, however, that fewer water sprouts
will appear if pruning is done about
midsummer. In any case, however
water sprouts may be regarded as weeds
in the tree top and should usually be
treated as such. In some cases with
old trees having long, bare limbs few
of the sprouts may we'll be left as pro
lection to the limbs and as an aid IL
harvesting. In a few years these sprouts
will usually develop into bearing branch
es, Notwithstanding the common notion
that water sprouts never bear fruit.
1t is doubtful II any amOut OF thinning
BY pruning can produce an annual bear
ing habit in fruits unless the trees re
ceive other necessary good care. Prob
ably a better course to pursue In at
tempting to get fruit every year is u
change bearing year Of entire plan''
throughout the orchard and allow these
to bear one year and others tho next
Winter pruning tends to produce woot
while summer pruning does not. Nor
work can be accomplished in the warm
or, longer days of April and May, bu
many prefer to 60 through the orchart
on the crust of the deep snow. Tn
wound made by removing of limbs is les
if the cut is made close to the trunk o
branch. Wounds of any considerable
size should be given coating of paint o
some other suitable substance. For gen
eral purposes pure white lead paint !
satisfactory.-New England Homestead