126 THE APPLE CULTURIST. 



in winter, when there is no foliage on the trees." Another 

 author, who knows how to prune trees far better than how 

 to instruct an inquirer after truth, says : " The correct pe- 

 riod of pruning is when the tree needs it." This is philo- 

 sophically and practically correct. And yet the phrase re- 

 quires an intelligent qualification which we will endeavor 

 to record, "so that a beginner may not be in doubt as to the 

 proper period of pruning. 



When a tree has been allowed to grow at random for 

 several years, so that the top is like a thicket, it should not 

 be pruned during the growing season; yet it may be pruned 

 at any time after the leaves have fallen, until the buds ex- 

 pand in the spring. No doubt every practical pomologist 

 will concur in this declaration, as it is always far better for 

 a tree to remove large branches at that season of the year 

 when the sap is in the least motion. But when young trees 

 are to be pruned and trained, more or less pinching of buds, 

 and removal of twigs with a knife, must be done during 

 the entire growing season. Hence, to affirm that the best 

 time to prune is when one has a sharp knife, is about as 

 correct as the direction to train children when one is in 

 possession of a rawhide or rattan. As young children re- 

 quire daily training from the cradle to manhood not when 

 they are asleep so young trees require care and pinching 

 of buds, if necessary, from the first year of their growth un- 

 til their branches are bending beneath a load of fine fruit. 

 When the young tree begins to grow in the spring of the 

 year, if every bud and branch is not growing correctly, then 

 is the time to pinch or prune, as the case may be. We 

 do not let our dear children, when they first begin to walk, 

 tottle off the door-step, run into the fire, or grow up in 

 vice, disobedience, and immorality, and then give them a 

 cruel chastisement for their conduct. But we begin to 

 lead, direct, and mould in the bud. So we must begin in 



