ORCHAKD CULTURE. 531 



pages, but will here give the general principles and prac- 

 tice OF PRUNING. 



The time for pruning varies with the climate, variety of fruit, 

 and the object to be attained. Perfectly hardy trees may be 

 pruned at any time between the fall of the leaf in autumn and 

 its reappearance in spring. This may always safely be done in 

 the South and Southwest. More tender trees, north of the forty- 

 third degree of latitude, should be pruned in the spring, before 

 growth has commenced. Trees that throw out shoots rapidly, 

 like the peach, may be pruned just before midsummer; but if 

 limbs of any size are cut, the wound should be covered with a 

 preparation of shellac and alcohol,* or with grafting wax, 

 thinned and applied with a brush. The exceptions to the 

 above general rules in regard to the time of pruning are, that 

 trees which grow wood and leaves vigorously, without fruit, are 

 pruned back after the leaves are grown; and the pruning of 

 young trees during the summer by pinching, of which we shall 

 speak hereafter. 



The amount to be pruned also varies with circumstances ; but 

 we are sure that one thousand trees are pruned too little, for 

 every one that is pruned too much. As a general rule, one-half 

 of each year's growth should be cut away before another season's 

 growth commences. This increases the strength and vigor of 

 the tree, induces earlier fruitfulness, and promotes longevity 

 A well pruned fruit tree will bear sooner, more freely, better 

 fruit, and for a much longer period than an unpruned one. 

 These are objects worth accomplishing, when fruit is in such 

 great demand and at such remunerative prices. The cut should 

 be made with a very sharp knife. Haggling defeats the objects 



* Mix enough shellac in alcohol to make a preparation of the consist- 

 ency of paint, and apply with a brush. 



