Tin; ("anadian HrtRiK ulturisi'. 99 



He foiiiid that the co])per carbonate- applic-d in suspension, just as we use 

 Paris green, was nearly as effective as when half the amount was used diluted in 

 ammonia, and it had the advantage that Paris green for Codling moth could be 

 safely added. 'I'reating the trees before the opening of the flowers was of great 

 value ; indeed, in one instance, where the Canada Peach apple was sprayed with 

 copper carbonate, it was found that one application previous to the opening of 

 the bloom was more effective than four after. On trees badly infested, the scab 

 reduces the size of the apples so much as to lessen the crop at least twenty per 

 cent., besides rendering a large part of it worthless. 



Our readers will find, on another page, full directions for making co[)per car 

 bonate, written by John Craig, of Ottawa. 



HOW TO PRUNE. 



It is, indeed, safer to prune not at all than to have a sharp knife in the hands 

 of an ignorant man. Much of the indifference, the culture of the dwarf pear has 

 fallen into, came about from the bad mistakes of ignorant pruners. It is not at 

 all uncommon to see a dwarf pear tree wnth all its young, vigorous growth cut 

 away — nothing but fruit spurs left. All the force is thus sent into the flowering 

 condition in the spring. The trees are mountains of snow-white blossoms : but 

 little fruit follovvs. A judicious thinning-out of weak branches, so as to get a good 

 form to the tree, is about all the pruning required. If there is a tendency to 

 produce an over-proportion of fruit spurs, cut out a good portion of them. 



The apple often requires pruning when somewhat advanced in years. The 

 old stunted branches should be cut out now and then, whenever a young and 

 vigorous shoot is inclined to take its place. Peach trees especially, love this 

 sort of pruning. The grape vine, when trained on lattice work or trellises, is 

 very liable to have its strong branches at the end of the vine ; and the good 

 pruner is ever on the alert to get a young strong branch up from near the ground. 

 When he can get this he often takes out an older one, weakened by age or 

 bearing, and replaces it with youth and vigor. 



The rule in pruning grape vines, is to shorten the shoots in ])ropurtion to 

 their strength ; but, if the advice we have given in former summer hints has been 

 attended to, there will be little disproportion in this matter, as summer pinching 

 of the strong shoots has e(iualized the strength of the vine. Those who are fol- 

 lowing any particular system will, of course, prune according to the rules 

 comprising such system. As a general rule, we can only say that excellent 

 grapes can be had by any system of pruning ; for the only object of jiruning in 

 any case is to get strong shoots to push where they may be desired, or to add 

 to increased vigor of the shoot, which pruning supposes will follow the act, in- 

 creased size in the fruit it bears. 



Blackberries, raspberries and currants are also much assisted by having the 

 weaker canes thinned out, and those left, shortened a fourth or fifth of their 

 length. Gooseberries need thinning, but not shortening. —Gardeners' Monthh 



