Page 9 Advertisements Column 1

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29269, 29 July 1960, Page 9

WHY PRUNE YOUR FRUIT TREES? »y Oar Garden Expert Pruning is probably the most misunderstood of all gardening opera* tions, because it is the one operation where sot rules of procedure apply. It is wise, then, to ask yourself the question "Why prune Fruit Trees?" The answers to this question are many, but simple. Here they are: Prune to obtain the desired, or better still, desirable shape. To remove dead or diseased growths, and growths which cross each other. To encourage the production of the type of growth which will bear flowers and fruit. The type of wood which is capable of carrying fruit varies with different types of trees. Peaches and nectarines bear their fruit on growths which were made during the previous growing season, and having borne fruit, these growths are useless and should be cut off. w v Thus peaches ' and rec- . tarines should be pruned to remove wood which has fruited, remove weak, diseased and dead growths and to encourage new growths to bear future crops. Even the new plants of peach and nectarine, available now at The Farmers* for only ten end six for large, strong trees, should be pruned for shape after planting. Apples and apricots bear their fruit* on spur growths which stay on the tree for the life of the tree. These spur growths may be shortened back from time to time, but should not be removed, as they are almost impossible to replace. Thus, the young apples you should now buy from The Farmers* only nine end six each), should be hard pruned after planting to secure good shape, apd a sturdy framework of brooches to carry the perennial fruit spurs. Pruning of plums is a combination of the two systems mentioned above and will vary according to variety. Watch your plant, watch what type of wood bears the fruit and prune accordingly. One of the cardinal rules § of pruning is never cut off any growth 'Hiless you ■ have a reason for cutting. The other main rule hard pruning promotes strong growth, light pruning promotes many smaller growths. Always use good, sharp pruning tools you can secure the best from The Farmers' Garden Tool Department. Rose Priming Rose*, like grapes and Chinese gooseberries, bear their flowers on current season's growths, therefore prune to encourage sturdy new growths; and replace old, worn out bushes, standards ond climbers from the splendid range in The Farmers' Garden Shop. Fruit Tmcs APRICOTS Moorpark, Newcastle, Roeburgh Red. 10/6 APPLES Golden Delicious, Wolseley, Granny Smith, Ballarat, Kidds Orange Red. 9/6 ***** PEACHES Briggs Rod May, Kalamazoo, Wiggins, Million Doller Cl. H. Halai. 10/6 ***•■ PLUMS Burbank, Billington, Purpla King, Doris, Satsuma, Elephant Hoort, Groangaga, Early Sultan. 9/6 GARDEN SHOP