24 Pruning Fruit Trees. [april, 



learn to exercise the same sound judgment as the successful 

 grape grower, who maintains a sufficient spread of foliage to 

 cover the glass, but takes care to suppress all shoots which 

 cannot have exposure to light. 



Growers sometimes remark, in reference to summer pruning, 

 that they cannot find time for any work that is not absolutely 

 necessary. There is no doubt that summer pruning would 

 be much more commonly practised than it is, were it not for 

 the fact that at the period when it calls for attention urgent 

 work, such as picking, is in hand ; but we have here to consider 

 summer pruning on its merits rather than in relation to its 

 expediency ; and, after all, it is not a long operation. A 

 practised hand will speedily deal with a considerable number 

 of trees. 



The best period for summer pruning will depend partly on 

 the season, partly on the soil, and partly on the varieties. 

 Unless the trees threaten to become very thick it is not wise 

 to do it before the end of July, because, if done earlier, the 

 object in view may be defeated by the outbreak of a mass 

 of sub-laterals. The latter could be stopped again, but that 

 greatly increases the labour. However, in the case of sorts 

 which make a great deal of breast-wood, earlier pruning is 

 desirable, even if it entails stopping again. Most varieties of 

 apples make their principal growth in June and July. August 

 and September should be months of ripening— of maturation ; 

 and the latter process is greatly helped if sun and air can have 

 free access to all parts of the tree. 



Most summer pruners nip or cut off the ends of the shoots 

 from the sixth leaf, that is, they count six leaves from the 

 base and then stop the shoot. Others prefer merely to break 

 over the shoot, on the ground that the partial check to the 

 sap flow serves the purpose in view without so much danger 

 of back breaks. This argument is quite sound, but trees so 

 treated have an untidy appearance, which, in private gardens 

 at all events, is considered objectionable. 



Winter Pruning. —Trees that have been summer pruned may 

 have their winter pruning at any time from November to March 

 inclusive. There is so little to be said in favour of one month 

 over another that the grower may be advised to get the work 

 done at the period which is most expedient. Of the two 



