Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-01-25
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I. CLEMSON EXTENSION WORK !.
X. Article NXXH. y.
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Pruning Fruit Trees.


Now is the time to begin work of
getting fruit trees in good condition
for their work the coming season and
pruning should be the first opera
ton. Before attempting this work
the worker should know what to do
and how to accomplish the object
sought. The main objects of pruning
are to thin out supcrtluous growth,
make the tree symmetrical, to reju-
vcnatc old trees, to thin the fruit and
to protect the trees from diseases and
insects.
Thinning Out Supcrnuous Growth.
In pruning we should always aim
to secure a low open head to admit
free circulation OF air and abund-
ant sunlight. Remove all broken and
dead branches, thin out where the
growth Is 100 thick, and remove all
water sprouts.
Pruning for Symmetry.
TO form a symmetrical tree 1t is
best TO begin ut planting time as sooii
as branches are formed Select the
three branches which are to form the
frame work Of the tree so that they
are evenly distributed up and down
and around the trunk. Avoid having
branches coming out opposite each
other on the trunk, for this makes
Il point Of weakness. After the tree
is considerable size it. is harder to
give symmetry to it. but by mdicious
pruning the tree can be balanced up
by removing branches whore there
are too many on one side ana en-
courage branching on the other side.
Rciuvcnating Old Trees.
Ry removing the older portions or
cutting out portion Of the branches
we stimulate growth in the remaining
portion. and thus rciuvenatc the tree.
Where large branches are removed
the cut should be made near the
branch that is left in order that the
wounC will heal rapidly. TO prevent
splitting or tearing OF the bark cut
part way through the branch from
the lower side and then saw from the
top short distance in front OF the
under cut. Then cut off the stub as
smooth as possible, saving clear
through the top. Large wound
should be covered with coat Oh
thick lead paint or coal tar to keep
out water and disease germs.
rruninS to Thin Fruit.
10 thin fruit of apple or pear cut
OFF some OF the fruit spurs. Always
remove the old spurs and those on
the inside Of the tree and on the
trunk and larger branches. TO thin
peaches cut off from one-thirG to one
half OF the length OF new wood and
remove some Of the branches where
they arc crowded. Peach buds are
found on the sides Of the past sea
sons growth.
Pruning for Protection.
by removing all dccayed fruit and
decaying or dead wood we remove the
source OF infection in many cases.
The pear blight of apple or pear is
kept in check by cutting off and de-
stroylng the affected parts. AS the
disease enters the blossoms on the
fruit spurs these spurs should be
removed from the trunk and large
branches, because the latter would
soon be diseased and could not be re-
moved without serious injury to the
tree. The pruning implements should
be disinfcctcd after cutting off a dis
cascd branch. This can be done by
passing through dame or dipping
in solution OF carbolic acid or cor
r0SiVc Sublimatc
II. G. Thompson,
Associate Professor Of Horticulture