Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-04-16
PRUNING THE ORCHARD.
The Form of the Tree Is the Fret
Thing to Work For.

The form of the tree is the first OBJ
ject for which the pruner works, and
If he produces the vase or inverted
cone form he will at the same time
accomplish several other objects, says
the Farmers Review, to-wit:
1. He will thereby facilitate tilage.
If the little tree be headed high, four
or five feet, the growth of the branches
will tend outward in horizontal di-
rection. This will be aggravated
when the tree comes into bearing, so
that the horse will pass under with
difficulty. 1t will also be necessary to
prop up these horizontal branches with
many props to keep the limbs from
breaking down completely. If he has
the inverted cone form single prop
in the center close to the trunk and
ropes from this prop to the different
loaded branches will hold them in form
and allow cultivation to within six
inches of the trunk at any time dur
ing the fruiting season without re-
moving any props or danger of break
ing the limbs.
2. He will by this form of tree facili-
tate spraying, thinning and harvesting
of fruit.
8. BY this form, pruning will be
made much easier. The strong tend
ency toward the forming of a leader
or leaders is more completely broken
up. All orchardists know how care
fully these leaders must be watched
in other forms of trees. 1t will also
be easier by this form to make
proper distribution of the branches
and to have the largest possible bear
ing surface with all the spaces be-
tween branches for air and sun of a
size to suit the needs of the tree.
There is, we believe, no other form
of tree more easily kept within man.
ageable shape and limits.
The subsequent pruning of such
trees after the second year will con-
sist in shortening each years growth
from one-third to one-half and cutting
out so that the branches shall not be
crowded.
The first thing the pruner must do
is to examine the leader. Perhaps
there will be six or more main branch
es. Perhaps two of these are twice as
thick as the others. They are defect
ing the nourishment from the other
branches. The side branches of these
leaders must be severely thinned. The
leader itself must be cut back severely.
Heroic pruning must be done and the
energy of the trees so detected that all
the remaining branches shall get their
share of the plant food. The air and
sunshine must be let in.
Ordinary pruning may be done at
any time when the tree is dormant.
The best time is from February till
| April. But summer pruning for fruit
has special season. 1t must be done
before the tree is dormant or has
| completed its growth, and yet not so
early in the summer that there will
be new shoots. About the first of
| August we find is the right time. This
pruning consists simply in removing
an inch or two of the seasons growth.
1t is best done with the long clippers.
The effect of this pruning is the ar
resting of sap and turning back to
follow the cambiun downward to en-
ter into lower buds and to induce a
metamorphosis-tbr is, changing a
leaf bud into fru.- or flower bud.
BY this operation young fruit trees
may be made to bear two or three
years earlier than trees which are not
so treated. 1t may be that this sum-
mer pruning has been done little
early, and that the buds next to the
cut surface will shoot up and continue
the growth. Should this be the case,
pinch these back also