185G.] Spring Work — Pruning. 



133 



The examples I have given, are of the action of frost on plants while 

 they are in a dormant state, in winter. If plants are killed by frost at 

 all, we must look, for the cause, more to the sj^ring frosts, after the sap 

 has commenced running. The circumstances attending the thawing may 

 also have a considerable influence in producing their resus^itati'on, or 

 death. To these two points, and any other phenomena which may be 

 exhibited in their transition state, in spring and fall, I would earnestly 

 call the attention of farmers and horticulturists, for their systematic and 

 accurate observation ; in which they would find the frequent use of the 

 microscope in the examination of buds, sections of wood, etc., of very 

 great importance. 



AYhy should not premiums be offered by our horticultural and agri- 

 cultural societies, for the best essays on such subjects, as well as forHg 

 corn, or cabbages, which are as often the result of good luck, as of skill 



Annandale. 

 Cincinnati, February lb, 1856. 



SPRING WORK 



^ ^ow that earth's chains are relaxed, and all nature begins to show 

 signs of re-animation, it is well to ascertain and keep before us, from 

 day to day, what avails to U done, and be well advised as to the manner 

 of doing properly every work in its season. 



And now is the time to commence various and important operations, 

 belonging respectively to the farm, the garden, and the orchard. 



In order that every work shall hQ performed with pleasure and profit, 

 the mind and hand must be alike employed. Farming, under such cir- 

 cumstances, would cease to be called, or esteemed, a drudgery ; horticul- 

 ture would afford real pleasure, and be invested with new and constantly 

 increasing delight. 



Our present remarks will be confined to the orchard — to pruning and 

 grafting. 



PRUNING. 



Now is the time to use the chisel and pruning-hook, upon the first 

 flow of the sap. In pruning, a few principles must be kept constantly 

 in view, such as the general form that it is desirable to give the head 

 of the tree, and the amount of growth that is to be dislodged or removed, 

 and from what portions to be taken. 



