Pruning Fruit Trees.

Manawatu Herald, 18 August 1892, Page 3

Pruning Fruit Trees.

. «. In order to have a shapely tree, extending equally on all sides, pruning must be commenced when the tree is young, and in the case of newly planted trees, hard pruning must be practised and continued for two or three years longer, so that what may be termed^a good foundation may be laid, and that a shapely regular, and well-filled tree may be formed ; the branches strong, not too numerous, and of an equality in number and strength throughout. Another, and still more disastrous result, may be the consequence of non-pruning while the trees art young. They commence early to bear, and the branches are so weak at the base that they bend with the weight of fruit, and frequently break right off, perhaps leaving the tree deformed for life. Such sights are not uncommon in the orchards of inexperienced fruit growers, who leave their trees unpruned, either through acting on bad advice, ignorance, or a desire to have them come early into bearing, which is decidedly bad policy, even should their expectations be fulfilled ; for early fruiting checks the growth of a fruit tree, but by securing a good growth during the first few years a very much greater annual yield of fruit is thereby secured, as well as a larger, batter and more profitable tree. Trees of different vanities vary in habit ; some if l«ft alone, run to extreme upward growth, others extend horizontally, but both faults may to a great extent be counteracted by early pruning.— Press.