EDITOR'S TABLE. 



wlictlicr tlireo or more eyes from the main branch ; disbud all the eyes between the eye 

 pruned to and the eyes at t!ic base of the shoot. When the eyes at the ba.se break, rnb olT 

 all oxci.'pt one, which train for bearing wood the following year, and prune to the strongest 

 bud, as before. But the renewal system is moro simple, requires less cutting, and is, per- 

 haps, the best mode I have seen practiced for garden culture. C. — Louisville, Ky. 



[The object of summer pruning is to prevent the growth of superfluous wood, injurious 

 not only to the fruit but to the bearing canes for the following season. Its effectiveness 

 depends in a great measure on its being done early ; for if the surplus shoots, or parts of 

 shoots, are allowed to lengthen and mature their wood, pruning can be of little service. It 

 should be done while the shoots arc young and soft, when a knife is not necessary. Tlie 

 bsaring branch should be stopped as soon as it lias made two joints beyond the fruit, the 

 day of the month being regulated of course by the season and local climate. 



Spur pruning we recommended with reference to the management of hardy grapes on 

 trellises covering a large space. 



The "renewal" is more applicable to vines kept in a small space, and trained to stakes. 

 —En.] ^ 



FuxGi ON THE Apple. — In a recent report made to the "American Pomological Society," 

 at Philadelphia, I mentioned in regard to the apples grown, in Western New York (in one 

 vicinity at least) that they were generally fair, and free from spots or blotches. Much to 

 my regret, I find that many of the best sorts are this season affected Avith black spots upon 

 them, which not only are on the outer surface but impregnates the flesh of the fruit with a 

 bitter and corrosive taste. It prevails very much, as before said, in the best varieties, and 

 very few are exempt. I have an opinion that it is a disease which is produced in a great 

 measure from the great neglect observable in most all the orchards, in the trees not being 

 properly trimmed. Most all orchards are too thicMy planted, for one thing ; so much so, 

 that- such a density of foliage, Avhen the trees are maturing their fruit, collects and retains 

 moisture tha-t neither the sun or air has suflicient effect to keep off what may truly be 

 called a mildew of unhealthy and pernicious gangrene, which centers on the skin of the 

 apples and very much injures them, both as regards appearance and quality. I feel so 

 impressed with the importance of the proper pruning of trees, that I wish that a score of 

 practical men were thoroughly versed in the matter and would offer their services to grow- 

 ers of fruit trees, who in turn, I should hope, would employ such ones to trim their trees. 

 It is painful to see such neglect toward trees that might bo renewed from year to year by 

 judicious pruning, and the fruit kept good, if not grow better and better. 



I merely throw out these ideas in hopes that you will deem it of importance to furn-ish 

 what you think a preventive. A handsome and fair fruit is as beautiful as a fair and beau- 

 teous woman, but tlic blemishes which I have been speaking of, mars the original beauty 

 which nature gave to the apple and caused it to be so tempting. J. H. Watts. — Rocli- 

 ester, J^. Y. 



[The development of tliis parasitic fungus alluded to by Mr. Watts, is due more, we 

 apprehend, to atmospheric influences than to any defective pruning or management. We 

 see it prevails in certain seasons and in certain localities much more than in others. It was 

 scarcely seen in Western New York until a year or two ago, and it is quite probable that 

 next season we may be again exempted from it. The remarks, however, in regard to 

 pruning are none the less worthy of attention, for really there prevails a very great negli- 

 gence in this particular branch of orchard culture. — Ed.] 



