THE ORCHARD.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 17, 2 March 1917, Page 7

THE ORCHARD.

TWO COMMON MISTAKES IN PRUNING.

In pruning, as in other orchard operations, probably no two men exactly agree as to the best methods, and probably no man can give infallible rules for all places, varieties, ani.conditions. It Is apparent, however, that there are two classes ol orchardists who are really making mistakes. On the one hand Is the man who prunes top little ; on the other, the man who prunes too much. Little or no pruning is advocated by the man who wishes his trees to begin fruiting at the earliest possible moment. Heavy pruning is advocated by, the man who places the emphasis on a certain form or shape of .tree. Each ,of these, when carried to the extreme, has in many .cases proven disastrous. .

In order to properly 'discuss pruning, certain fundamental facts musl be kept in mind. First, nature is not especially interested in producing the edible part of the fruit, hut the seed, She does this in order that the species may be perpetuated. The fine fruits we now have are the results ol centuries of breeding and care, in which pruning plays an impprtant part. Second, the growing of young trees in the crowded nursery row with high cultivation and in the high-ly-fertilised orchard is a somewhat artificial process. The trees grow more rapidly and with longer and less stocky branches than, when it grows wild from seed. Unless corrected by pruning it is apt to develop the fruiting wood at the ends of comparatively long and slender branches which break down under the weight of the -first full crop. ' Third, severe pruning, especially if done in the winter, stimulates the production of an excessive amount of wood usually at the expense of the fruit. Fourth, the leaves are the organs which correspond to the digestive organs of animals. In order to produce a full crop of fruit of good quality a large healthy leaf surface must be maintained. Fifth, direct sunlight on the fruit itself assists materially in maturing it, and thus heightens its colour and develops its flavour. Sixth, direct sunlight and a free circulation of air often prevent the development of fungus diseases or hold them in check. ®

Applying these six- fundamental facts or principles to the practice of pruning orchard trees we would expect the following results, which have been borne out in actual practice The tree which is pruned little or none, other things being equal, does come into bearing quicker than does the heavily or even the moderately ’pruned tree, but as a result of lack of pruning, ->as_ it becomes older the fruit is borne on the ends of long slender branches which easily break down. The top becomes thick, the jbuu cannot penetrate nor the air circulate freely to all parts of" the tree, and the fruit in the inside is likely to lack in colour and bfe poor in flavour. Such trees are subject to fungus .diseases, and are difficult to spray pro : perly. Moreover, when it does become necessary to prune them, large quan-

titles of wood have to be removed, which may cause a considerable loss in the crop for two years or more. The tree that is severely pruned seldom comes into bearing as quickly as the one pruned but little, and its fruiting may be delayed for several years. Severe pruning may also deplete tlie leaf surface to such an extent that the tree and fruit will not be properly, nourished . and may admit of sun scald on branches and fruit. On the other hand, when done intelligently, - more or less pruning will result in / a compact tree with short, stocky branches so arranged as to bear large crops t of fruit without breaking, and to freely admit air and sunlight.

Without going into details, proper pruning consists in cutting just enough to -give the proper. , form to the tree without greatly retarding its age of bearing, to ensure strong, stocky branches rightly placed to support heavy loads of fruit, and with a top open enough to allow for a free circulation of air and admit a generous amount of sunlight without toe greatly reducing the leaf surface or subjecting either fruit or branches to injury from the burning, summer sun. Too little or too much pruning may easily be a mistake.