The Canadian Horticulturist. 57 



WINTER PRUNING IN THE ORCHARD. 



HE pruning of orchards, aside from any stated time, presents 

 many perplexing problems, for the reason that no conclu- 

 sions have been reached as yet, or at least recognized, 

 sufificient for the establishment of a perfect science of such 

 practical importance that its application may be easily under- 

 stood and followed. Although the art of pruning has been 

 conducted from time immemorial, no set rule has as yet 

 been evolved and adopted, and perhaps never will, as to how much or how little, 

 when and how, our fruits should be properly pruned. The clearest solution is 

 the application of judgment acquired by practice, or the observance and enforc- 

 ing of a few general principles which are attended with the best results. If in 

 the pruning of any plant these principles are wrongly applied, it resolves itself 

 into one of the most injurious operations that can take place, but if, on the other 

 hand, (hey are well directed, it becomes one of the most useful operations for 

 the mutual benefit of the plant and pruner. The winter pruning of fruit trees 

 tends to encourage the growth of wood and the buildint, up of the tree generally^ 

 while summer pruning, usually carried on in the month of June, when the leaves 

 are two-thirds formed, assists greatly in the production of fruit. So at this 

 season of the year we are confronted with the often repeated query : " Is the 

 winter pruning of apples and other fruits advisable, and under what conditions 

 should it be done ; when and how ? 



in pruning the apple in winter, warm days should be selected during the 

 latter part of the season, after the severity of the young winter has passed away, 

 especially in climates where the thermometer is liable to register several degrees 

 below zero. The exposure of cut surfaces may cause it to become injured, and 

 would fail to heal over as readily or as perfectly. Large limbs in orchards that 

 have been neglected are best removed during the warm winter days, enforcing 

 judgment so as not to make too large a removal, as it is liable to bring about 

 too great a shock to the vitality of the tree, and should be practiced only when 

 necessity calls for it. This removal of large limbs is delicate work, and may be 

 avoided in the orchard by inspecting the trees every winter during their young 

 days, removing cross limbs or overgrown abundant shoots. These shoots occur 

 generally where orchards are pruned the following season, and should be 

 removed by breaking off. In pruning, remove the limbs or branches close to 

 the trunk or stem, making the surface smooth with a knife, cutting away ragged 

 edges of bark to prevent liability to decay. 



The wound should then be treated with a composition material, serving the 

 purpose of preserving the wood, excluding the air, preventing injury to cell 

 structure and cracking of the surface of the wound, and assisting the new bark 

 in forming over the ciit made, Any surface of an inch in diameter should be 



