April l, 1903,] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
PRUNING FRUIT TREES. 
By W. J. Allen, 
Pruning is a means to an end. It is not intended 
in this article to enter into a discu-sion of the general 
theories of prutiiug, which are multitndinoas • nor is 
it possible to give any advise for pruning until one 
has analysed the subject, and knows the object for 
which he is to worlj, and the underlying principle on 
which his practices must rest. The principles are 
universal, and the ssme might also be said of the 
practices which are pi'^niarily the shaping or training 
of the tree, and secoiidarily (after this object has betn 
attained), to fruitfulnesa. Under natural conditions 
trees are being constantly pruned. Every fall 
nature strips the trees of their leaves. This is their 
regular annual pruning. In addition to this, there 
is a cotinual pruning of buds and branches, ff 
every bud on a tree were allowed to develop, the 
latter would become a regular bush pile. Those buds 
which are most favourably situated aa regards light 
get most nourishment, while those less favourably 
situated become starved and drop off. The lower 
limbs of trees and those within the crown become 
weakened, and die from lack of sunlight, then the 
wind, natures pruning knife, comes along and re- 
moves the dead branch. In this manner trees are 
constantly ridding themselves of useless branches, 
and the pruning so effected is undoubtedly a benefit 
to the branches which remain and to the general 
growth and improvement of the tree, 
Orchard trees, by virtue of selection, by hybridi- 
sation, and cultivation are in a highly 
specialised condition, and to be maintained so must 
receive special treatment. In a sense, the fruit tree 
is a machine for manufacturing fruit, and intelligent 
pruning is one of the means by which it can be made 
to manufacture the most fruit of the best quality in 
the shortest time, and to keep up the output for the 
longest possible period. A correct understanding, 
therefore, of this machine and all its working parts is 
necessary to its most successful manipulation. 
Wickaon, in his work on California Fruits, writes ; — 
One of the first things for the beginner to undertake 
Bshe approaches the practice of pruning trees and 
vines, is to form some conception of the purposes to 
be served. Imitation is not the foundation of intelli- 
gent pruning, though it yields many valuable sugges- 
tions. Satisfactory work rests upon a correct under- 
standing of the reasons for each act, and to the attain- 
ment of this all study, observation, and experience 
should tend. Possessing this, one can proceed capably 
modifying method to meet condition, and producing 
desirable results. Receive all suggestions, and then 
go quietly to the tree and study your problem in its 
shade. The tree is the best revelator of its need. 
Some of our best pruuers are men who were uutriiined 
to horticulture before they entered upon their orchard 
work. Beading discussion, systematic instruction, 
are all valuable. They save much time and many 
errors ; but recourse to the tree affords the sovereign 
test of attainment. These may be counted among the 
practical purposes to be attained by pruning (a) Oon- 
veuieuce of the grower ; {b) health and strength of 
the tree ; (c) regulation of heat and light: {d) attain- 
ment of strong bearing wood ; (e) attainment of size in 
fruit; and (^'J promotion of regular bearing." 
'■ On exAuiiuing the tree, it will be found to be com- 
posed aboveground of a truuk from which the main 
branches spring, which, in their turn, produce laterals, 
on which the shoots and spurs which bear the fruit 
are to be found. Taking these points into consider- 
ation, one can hardly fail to secure rays of light upon 
the subject of prtining which seems dark to so 
many. 
" Convenience. — Trees which branch near the ground 
are mostly quickly and cheaply handled in all the 
operations of pruning, spraying fruit, thinning, -ind 
picking. Low trees with obliquely-rising branches 
are more easily cultivated than any form with hori- 
83 
zontal branches, unless the head is carried so high that 
the teams pass easily under the tree. To do thii 
sacrifices all the other conveniences and economies 
which actually determine profit, and is really out of 
the question from a commercial point of view. 
" Health and Slrewjth. — It is imperative in moat parts 
of this State that the sunshine be not allowed to touch 
the bark during the heat of the day. This protection 
is secured even for young trees by low brAnching. The 
low tree with properly spaced branches attains supe- 
rior strength by virtue of thick, strongly knit, short 
growth between branches, and by its strong, stiff, 
obliquely-rising growth sustains weight which brings 
horizontal branches to the ground, and thua even 
high-headed trees are liable to continually increasing 
interference with cultivation, and the desperate grower 
has to raise the head of his tree higher into the air 
and farther above the profit line while at the same 
time he renders it more liable to sunburn, to bark 
binding, and to unthrift by forcing the sap to flow an 
unnecessary distance and through wood and bark will 
impede its movemiint. Besides, a low tree escapes 
stress by strong vifinds, which a high tree invites, 
and at the same time is less able to withstand. Prun- 
ing for health and strength of the tree also includes 
the removal of unthrifty or diseased parts, which are 
not only an encumbrance to the tree, but many com- 
municate to other parts the cause of Iheir ill condition. 
" Ileat and LUjht. — The maintenance of strong 
bearing wood in the lovve ■ part of the tree is conditioned 
upon the proper pruning of the top of the tree. How 
far the upper levels or the shade layer of the tree can 
be safely opened depends upon the local climate in 
each fruit region. The rule must be the higher the 
summer heat, the denser the tree — the lower the heat 
the thinner the tree : but everywhere the proper con- 
dition of openness must be constantly in view in 
pruning. Not alone must this be dona to maintain 
thrifty growth below, but it is also essential to the 
best growth and ripening of the fruit in the lower and 
interior parts of the tree. Fruit inferior in size, 
colour, and quality, results in part from lack of prun- 
ing to regulate the admission of light and heat, some- 
timea one, sometimes both, to the shaded portion of 
the tree. 
'■'Bearing Wood. — Good fruit develops on good bearing 
wood, and good bearing wood is the product of proper 
degrees of light and heat as has just been urged ; but 
bearing wood in the case of some fruits is new wood, 
and reduction of old wood for the purpose of foreint; 
the growth of new wood must be constantly in mind. 
Renewal is more or less a consideration with all trees 
and especially the securing of strong new wood. This 
is a point upon whicJi close study of the bearing tree 
will yield most satisfactory suggestions, 
" Size of Fruit. — The size of fi-uit, providing the 
tree is healthy and vigorous, depends ;upon the 
character and amount of bearing wood which the tree 
is allowed to. carry. Removal of part of tlie fruit 
burden is done by thinning after it is well set, ;,thi3 
labour should always be minimised by antecedent 
pruning, whiclrj adjusts the retention of bearing wood 
according to the vigour.size and bearing habit of the tree 
Thinning out of bearing shoots and spurs, when, 
either are clearly seen to be in excess, should be the 
constant study of the prunet," — The Indian Agricul- 
turist. 
T URMBRIO -GINGER. 
Turmeric and giiJger may ba both profitably grown 
in Bengal, and like most other root crops are meant 
for, and are within easy reach of, small capitaliatsta 
Turmeric, Curcuma /.Oii</« requires soil of a rich and 
friable uature, to which has been .iflded a good per- 
centage of potash. High lands, not (ilxhj to bt oi-cr- 
fiowed, should be sfltctod tor this crop, and should 
be Well ploughed and cleared of weeds, etc. Manure 
should be freely applied and well worked into the 
soil. Sweepings of all kinds, pondrette, and ashes 
specially those from CQKdung cakes are specially 
