4(i0 Journal op the Department op Agriculture. 



(Ills liave Ix'oii made: if tliis itrocaiit ion is neglected the steel will 

 develop small holes termed " ])its '' and tlnis many good knives are 

 spoilt. 



Treatment of Negi.kctj':d Trees. 



An individual ta'king over an orchard generally has many 

 ])roblems to contend with. If the tiees have any semblance to form 

 or shape the position is ]^ot a difhcult one, but usually the groAver 

 realizes that it will take him more than one year to get the trees in 

 order. The trees are, as a rule, bare of laterals tor about 4 feet from 

 the ground, the top resembles a grass broom, the centre full of dead 

 wood — it is a dismal picture, but a real one. The first work to be 

 done is to clean out the head of the tree and define the leaders, next 

 clear all dead wood from the whole framework, remove any suckers 

 from the base of the tree, and leave it ; do not attempt to do too much 

 the first season, as the removal of any large limbs will only give rise 

 to many smaller ones, so that at the next winter's pruning you will 

 be no better oft. As new wood is forced out along the arms, old 

 barren wood may be removed, and the top gradually reduced and 

 correctly spaced by utilizing new shoots in desirable positions. Never 

 cease pruning these renovated trees, otherwise they will speedily 

 revert to a hopeless tangle, causing loss of time nnd money in fruit; 

 trees pruned annually do not show any marked difference between 

 production and non-production, for it is obvious that a balance 

 between root and top is maintained. Trees pruned periodically, say 

 every three or four years, are liable to have more large wood removed 

 than would be the case in annual pruning. This naturally disturl)S 

 the root balance, and heavy growth of an unproductive type is 

 obtained, which has to be treated each winter to restore the fruiting 

 habit. All this is extra work. 



Wounds and tiietk Treatment. 



During the fiist three or four years in whicli the young trees 

 are being trained into shape, most of the cutting will be done with a 

 sharp knife or secateur, consequently few, if any, wounds above half 

 an inch will be made ; these heal over very quickly on the return of 

 activity in spring. No danger from insect pests or fungoid diseases 

 need be feared. In well-trained trees it is seldom that one has to 

 remove a large branch, still this does happen occasionally, and in this 

 case the saw should be ^^sed. All removals should be severed close 

 to the main branches without injuring the growths in the immediate 

 vicinity. After a saw-cut, trim the rough edges smooth with a knife 

 to facilitate the healing over process; wounds over half an inch in 

 diameter should be covered (after smoothing) with medium thick 

 })aint to ])revent the attack of moulds or insects and keep moisture 

 out; by taking this ])recaution many trees will be maintained for a 

 much longer ])eriod of irsefulness. 



Effect of Wind. 



Tn many parts of the Union much damage is done annually by 

 wind blowing continuously from one (juarter; its influence is ])articu- 

 larly noticeable on young trees not protected ])y established wind- 

 breaks. The only remedy one can suggest is to plant quick-growing 



