212 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Nov'b 



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Lfv possible to place a tree in such a soil and situation that it would make A J 



fonly a moderate growth of well matured short jointed wood, then pro- c/ 

 bably no pruning would be requisite. It almost seems a negative prac- \ 

 tice to allow a tree to make a large quantity of wood during summer I 

 and then cut the greater part of it out in the annual winter pruning. 

 The object in pruning fruit trees is to regulate and enhance the supply 

 of fruit; if the deficiency of fruit arises from a preponderance of wood 

 growth, the evil will be increased rather than diminished by winter 

 pruning. It is an axiom with horticulturists that trees are weakened 

 by summer and strengthened by winter pruning. The time for win- 

 ter pruning may also be regulated in a great measure by the condition 

 of the tree; if pruned immediately on the fall of the leaf, the shoots 

 will be stronger in the succeeding season than if the operation had 

 been delayed until early spring — hence pruning is often deferred until 

 the tree is nearly in leaf in order to diminish its luxuriance. This 

 arises from the fact, that during winter the plant still continues to ab- 

 sorb food by its roots, the sap thus introduced into the system is equal- 

 ly distributed over the tree; if, then, we defer pruning until spring, 

 we cut out and throw away a very large amount of the sap that has 

 been thus accumulating, and in consequence the plant is weakened. 

 On the other hand, if pruning is performed early in winter the extent 

 of branches is lessened, and the sap collected by the roots deposited in 

 a smaller space, the buds from which will push out and grow with re- 

 doubled vigor. 



The operator must also be familiar with the modes of bearing of dif- 

 ferent trees. 'The grape, peach, fig, &c, fruit on the young growth; 

 the pear, cherry, apple, &c, principally on spurs from older wood. — 

 With respect to the former, it is necesssry to retain enough of last 

 year's growth to secure the crop. The principal flow of sap is always 

 directed to the extreme points of branches, to the detriment of those 

 situated nearer the stem ; but by pruning off a portion of these extreme 

 branches the sap is more equally distributed, and all parts of the tree 

 more nearly shares alike. It is for want of timely pruning that so 

 many peach trees and grape vines run up with long naked stems, bear- 

 ing a few branches at the top. 



Having thus slightly glanced at some of the principles of pruning, 

 we will not extend these remarks at present further than to observe 

 that, although as a general rule early pruning is preferable, yet it will 

 often turn upon a point of mere leisure and convenience ; grapes, how- 

 ever, are exceptions, they should always be pruned in November, 1st, 

 because there is liability to bleed if delayed till spring, which, altho' 

 we have never found to be injurious, may as well be guarded against. 

 A more important reason is the additional stimulus the pruned plant 

 receives from the accumulation of sap during winter, causing it to ad- 

 vance rapidly in growth and steal a march upon the season's vegeta- 

 tion — a matter of imporiance where the summers are short. 



Figs. — These will require to be protected from severe frost. Hav- 

 ing tried various means for their preservation, we would recommend 

 the system of pegging the branches down as low as can be done con- 

 veniently without breakage, and covering over and through them with 

 leaves. Throw a few old pea sticks through them to keep them to- 

 Wp gether ; we have never failed in getting them safe through the winter 

 («Owhen so protected. S. B. 



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