THE PRUNING SEASON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 19 (Supplement)

THE PRUNING SEASON

HINTS FOR THE A.MATECR. from this time onward, during 'ho next few months, the pruning of fruit ing trees and plants as they mature and ripen their wood will need attention. The time for pruning depends largely upon the varieties to bo treated, for while such kinds as peaches, nectarines am. kindred trees, together with most varities of bush fruits, are invariably among the first to ripen their wood and to need attention, others, more especially of the pip fruits, retain their foliage until much later in the season and may not have sufficiently ripened their wood until well into July. To prune before the sap has return <1 tends to roh the roots of much of the vitality that would be absorbed bv the returning sap, while on the other hand, > to defer pruning until the buds arc swelling ami growth has set in. must, in a measure weaken instead of strengthen i growth. The main object in pruning, I whatever varieties of pruning trees or ; plants to be treated, .should be, to en courage fruit fulness ami to keep the : trees well furnished with fruiting material.