The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1914-02-19
PRUNING
IAN interesting discussion by G. P

Is not so much difference about the
time that II is done as there is In the
way 1t is done. think the idea OF an
open center and OF cutting back the
tops cause more people to go wrong
than anything else. Both OF these ara
all right II done right. but here is the
mistake: Too many cut the center all
out. leaving an open space OF several
feet in the center of the tree. This is
not OF any advantage, but on the other
hand does much harm. The sun shines
In and burns the fruit and the limbs.
It does not take the direct rays OF the
sun to color the apples. What is want
ed is 10 have the tree opened up
enough all through the top SO the light
can get in and at the same time use
all OF the space for bearing wood so
as to get n large amount OF fruit from
each tree and yet not load any part
of the tree too much.
Cutting trees back does not mean
to climb up in the tree and cut Off
half or more OF the bearing wood.
Cutting back is alright and should be
done from the time the little trees are
set. cut them back TO about eighteen
inches the second year; the next year
I leave two limbs on each one eighteen
inches long. and 30 on
When the trees are older and you
find water sprouts growing on the In
side Of the limb. as you will in most
orchards where some one has stood
on the ground and cut off everything
he could reach Do not cut these
sprouts all out. but leave those where
you would like a limb and cut back
to eighteen inches and keep the new
growth cut back each year. In n short
time this water sprout win bs bearing
the best apples on tho tree. The prac-
tice OF cutting all the lower limbs off
is n poor one. for II these are properly
rrunde up and left they will grow the
best apples. and in a position that will
not be blown off by the winds. They
can also be easily picked.
Another bad practice 10 that OF care
iessness In cutting leaving stubs. Great
care should be taken to cut all limbs
close and with the same angie as the
limb from which they are cut. This
leaves a large cut. but Il will beai
over much quicker than where a
square cut Is made. Never cut n limb
off unless you have n good reason for
doing 40. would much rather have
m orchard not pruned at all than to
have 1t all cut to pieces In the wrong
way.
II n trse is heavily budded and has
not made much growth the last year
cut It rahter hard. Bot whom pruning
one that has made vigorous growth
and has few buds cut II very little.
Do not cut the ends off OF small new
wood limbs II you can avoid II. for II
you do they are not 20 apt TO bear the
next year. OF course II they are grow
Ing straight up and are over two feet
long they should be cut back to about
eighteen inches.
Tho best way to learn to prunc Is to
watch the trees from year 10 year and
see Just what each sort OF n cut will
produce In years afterward.
The easiest and cheapest way to
pruns at this time Of the year. when
horses are not in use. Ia to use nat
racks and drive along the row on each
side Then II the tree 10 large and caa
not be all reached from tho wagon.
you can easily step into the tree and
finish. lie sure to wear overshoes or
rubbers and be careful not TO break
off any of the fruit spurs from the
limbs. ~ they are usually scarce. 1t
being the habit Of most men to cut
them off on the upper side.