Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-17

buds or eyes on each stub. The main
stem itself In addition to this should be
cut back from quarter to third OF
Its length. 1t may seem very hard to
you to sacrifice so much of the little tree
for which you have paid good money
to some nurseryman. but to refuse to do
so will be only to invite failure. In the
case OF larger trees they may be pruned
In such way as to form the head" Of
the tree when 1t is planted. Three or
four of the best Of the branches are re-
tanned but these are cut back so that only
some half dozen buds" or eyes are left
on each. The main stem is then cut back
to just above the topmost Of these branch
es. Everything else should be cut back
clean to the main stem. II a lower head
ed tree Is wanted ultimately. the main
stem should be cut back to not over two
feet from the ground in the case Of APP
pies, cherries and pears, and about IL
inches for peaches and plums. II, as Is
often the case where trees are planted
about the home place, a taller tree with
more room beneath the branches will
be wanted, the main stem should, OF
course. be left correspondingly taller
when the tree Is set 1t is highly impor-
tant, however. that none of the branches
other so that they will form a crotch"
when they grow. They should be dis
tributed as evenly as possible both up
and down and around the tree. During
the first two or three years after plant
ing third to a half of the new growth
should be cut away each year, leaving
laterals or branches that will tend to
form the shape desired and in general
to keep it symmetrical
There are four things (which should
be remembered in all pruning or trim
ming. The first is always to leave a clean
smooth cut: A ragged cut made with a
dull knife or shears will not heal quickly
and invites disease. Second. cut just q
little above a bud" or eye pointing in
the direction in which you want the limb
to continue growing. Make a slightly
slanting cut a quarter of an inch or so
above the bed. Third, in developing
young trees cut above an outside bud,
as this will tend to keep the new growth
branching outward. giving the tree an
open center to admit light and air
Fourth. cut clean and close up to the par
ent trunk or branch. If stub is left
it prevents the healing Of the bark and
thus paves the way for trouble in the
future.
SPRAYING
To have clean. smooth fruit, free from
worms on the inside or scars and blem
ishes on the outside. the trees must be
kept sprayed. The first spring spray to
apply should be given when the leaf
buds begin to come out enough to show
color. Use concentrated lime sulphur So
luton. To this it is well to add arsen-
ate of lead to control any chewing in
sects which may be present, such az
tent catapillars' which often appear
early and strip the tree Of the tender
new leaves. Aphis are also likely to be
present and therefore it Is we'll to add
to this spray nicotine sulphate. There
are on the market several good sprays
combining sulphur and arsenate Of lead.
The second spraying should be given
just as the flower buds begin to show
color. using the same spray. This should
be followed within 10 days after the first
petals fall. Chat is, before the calyx of
! the newly formed fruit begins to close
up) with the third or "calyx spray which
| is the most important Of all. Self-boiied
lime sulphur or a similar spray recon
| mended for this purpose should he used,
| especially on peaches cherries and plums.
In using this spray the greatest care
should be taken to follow directions in
| every detail. A small but efficient spray
| ing outfit should be part Of the equipment
of every home place.
OF course fruit trees cannot be expected
to produce good crops unless they are
we'll fed. Several handfuls of a good
high grade complete fertilizer should be
! forked into the ground around each tree
half a handful of nitrate Of soda should
be applied. repeating this two or three
times at intervals Of two or three weeks.
This will give a wonderfully vigorous
growth and dark green color to the 70.
liage which will be a surprise TO any
one who has merely left the trees ia
take more or less care Of themselves In
the past.