COMMON APPLE-TREE. 3jg 
In performing these operations, particular care must be observed not to injure the 
remaining branch or bud ; and should a cut accidentally be made, the wounded 
part should by no means be removed, but be pressed fast together, and a coat of 
the composition immediately laid over it. The bearing capabilities of apple-trees 
of considerable age may be much improved by judicious pruning, in removing 
decayed branches, and old, unprofitable boughs, where the head is too much 
crowded. These should, in all cases, be taken off by a clean cut, close to the 
branch from which they are separated, or at least to a lateral shoot, so that the 
part may heal over as soon as possible. The proper season for pruning is about 
mid-summer, or about the time the downward motion of the sap commences, and 
when a more perfect cicatrization of the wounded parts take place, than if pruned 
in the winter or spring. Another important rule in pruning is, to remove every 
part of the tree "incurably diseased;" not only because the disease may be con- 
tagious, but because rottenness of itself occasions increased evils, from the wea- 
ther, from insects, and other causes. When the adjoining wood and bark are 
pruned to the quick, and properly sheltered, room is given, as we have pointed 
out, for a natural cover to be made for the wound. But we must repeat, 
that the wound, if possible, must be protected, or the evil may be made worse, 
from various causes. When consistent, the wound occasioned by pruning should 
be on the lower side of the branch, rather than on the upper side ; especially where 
no composition is intended to be applied, as the lower side is least exposed to the sun 
and rain. It is a good rule to have no reliance on boughs which are kept contin- 
ually damp by the drippings of other boughs, or upon those which are kept con- 
stantly screened from the sun. "The general shape of an old tree" should be 
kept substantially the same, in order that the ascending juices may continue as 
nearly as possible in their established channels ; or if changes are aimed at, they 
should be gradual. Hence, care must be taken not to cut off " too many large 
limbs at a time," lest the sap of some of the roots, and particularly those corre- 
sponding to these limbs, should be too suddenly checked in its ascent. Sometimes 
trees, which at first were good bearers, become stag-headed and unfruitful. It is 
more than probable that this condition is owing to some defect in the soil. The 
proper remedy to be resorted to in this case is, what is called " heading down ;" 
that is, removing all the branches to within a foot or two of the main forks, or 
the stem of the tree, in order to encourage the formation of a healthy and vigor- 
ous head. This operation should be accompanied by a heavy dressing of com- 
post, formed of lime, ashes, and loam, extending for a considerable distance 
round the tree, which should be dug in with the turf. According to the opinion 
of some orchardists, pruning, after the head of the tree is properly formed, is to 
be avoided as much as possible, as it creates numerous useless shoots, and pre- 
vents the production of fruit. A very important advantage, however, may be 
derived from this principle, by provoking young shoots to appear by skilfully 
wounding the bark in the vacant spaces of a branch, and thereby regulate the 
symmetry of the tree. 
Accidents, Diseases, and Insects. The apple-tree, as a standard, is more liable 
to accidents, the attacks of insects, and to diseases, than the pear-tree. Its branches 
are more frequently broken by tempestuous winds, whereby their wounded parts, 
in being exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather, sooner decay, and tend greatly 
to lessen the productiveness and the duration of the tree. When situated near the 
borders of woods, orchards are often injured by the American grouse, or partridge, 
(Tetrao umbellus,) which greedily devours the flower-buds, in winter, when the 
ground is covered with snow. The apple-tree is also subject to canker: more 
especially when planted deep, or in a soil which is annually dug round it to some 
depth, and cropped with vegetables. In some soils, also, particularly those which 
contain much oxide of iron, the tree is liable to canker under any mode ol cul- 
