248 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



The consequences are not less fatal if we practice the opera- 

 tion during the hard frosts ; the instruments cut the frozen wood 

 with difficulty ; the incisions are torn and do not heal up ; mor- 

 tality ensues below the bud near the incision, and the bud is des- 

 troyed. If we wait till the budding commences, the inconve- 

 niences are still more grave ; the sap from the roots has perva- 

 ded all the parts of the tree, and that which has been absorbed 

 by the branches we remove, is lost. In pruning so late, we are 

 liable to harm and break a large number of wood and flower 

 buds. Lastly, the sap thrown back from the summit to the base, 

 may tear the tubes and give place to gum. Pruning in February 

 is especially important for the peach tree, whose buds, situated 

 at the base of the fruit branches, are frequently dormant for want 

 of the powerful action of the sap. By pruning early, the sap 

 acts with force on the buds unfavorably situated, fixes their evo- 

 lution, and leads also to the development of the latent buds on 

 the old stem ; thus we prevent the stripping of the trees. 



Still, we may prune very late and even wait till the buds begin 

 to grow long, when we operate on trees that are too vigorous, 

 and cannot be made to fructify easily. A part of the action 

 of the sap is then used to the benefit of the suppressed branches. 

 It acts with less force on the reserved buds, and these take more 

 easily the characteristics of fruit branches. We note an excep- 

 tion in favor of the southern climate, where the precocity of 

 vegetation necessitates pruning before winter. If we had so 

 many trees that we could not prune them all in February, rather 

 than exceed this period, it would be preferable to anticipate it. 

 Then we should cut before winter, the fruit branches only ; then 

 we should wait till February to cut the wood branches. In every 

 case it will do to follow in pruning, the order of vegetation of 

 the different species. Thus we should prune first the apricot, 

 then the peach, the plum, the cherry, the pear, the apple, and 

 lastly, the grape. 



The operations of summer pruning, are practiced during the 

 vegetation of the parts of the tree which are to receive it. To 

 give these indication at this time, would prolong the time usually 

 allotted during the hour appropriated to miscellaneous busi- 

 ness. 



