FARM AND GARDEN,

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 161, 17 July 1886, Page 1

FARM AND GARDEN,

Auckland Horticultural Society. The Committee of the Gardeners' Horticultural Society met in Newmarket last Monday night. It appears that they are not going to let the grass grow under their feet. They elected a sub-committee to make arrangements for holding an exhibition of cut flowers, camellias, &c., on Saturday, 14th August, in the Auckland Market, if it is possible to procure a portion of it. It is expected that a number of aub-tropical fruits, such as oranges, lemons, &c., will be staged. All cultivators should try and bring forward as many exhibits as possible, ao a8 to make the Show a success. The committee also elected a sub-committee, so as to revise the schedule of the annua* spring show in order that it may be printed and circulated as soon as possible. A new departure was generally d'scussed, namely, the holding ot a Chrysanthemum Show next autumn — euch exhibition to be held some time in May next This would be a welcome addition to our flower exhibition, as at that peiiod many late autumn flowers are in full bloom. I only hope the public will, by attending in numbers, testify that they appreciate the exertions of the Committee in j providing theee exhibitions. < Pruning Fruit Trees. Of all subjects connected with garden practices I do not think any have been so much written about as the pruning of fruit trees. And of all questions in New Zealand it should be of first importance. A large numbt r of people are under the impression that if they only plant a few trees they should obtain plenty of fruit without any further trouble Now, fruit trees are like all other vegetation — the more they are attended to the better the returns. How often do we see trees here that have been planted and afterwards just allowed to jjrou- as nature directs them — with what result. They generally develop a )a<ge number of branches, which in time commence to have a struggle for existence and spuremacy, and when fruit is produced on such trees it is of a very inferior quality, for the fruit is so crowded up with the branches and foliage that it is impossible for the lierht, a j r an (j BU ns rays to penetrate to it, so as to fully mature ie and give it the necessary colour and flavour. Now by a judicious system of pruning all this can be remedied. Superfluous branches should be cut out so as to give free access of light to the fruit, at the same time trying to induce a certain proportion of new growth evory seaeon, thus keeping the tree in good health, but allowing no more to gro*v than is absolutely necessary. It would be impopsible for me to lay down a hard and fast rule to guide any fruit grower in pruning his fruit trees. I believe there is no system of pruning that will apply indiscriminately to all kinds of fruit trees or even to the same varieties to vary in their growth according to the soils, aspect, etc., in which they are planted. The growth, even of the same varieties, will vary so much in different soils, etc., that, the most intelligent pruner must be guided, by the circumifcac^ s surrounding each individual tree. Such being the case it would be useless for me to try and give any but general ideas that may assist those who have only a slight knowledge of pruning. I would here ask the question, What is the pruning of fruit trees undertaken for ? It is to try and increase the production of tirst-class fruit. All pruners should keep this in mind while using theknife If a tree is already producing large quantitiesoiwood, and very Kttle fruit, the practice of reducing the limbs of the tree will only cause the tree to produce more wood the following season. A tree in this condition should receive very little branch pruning, but should be root-pruned so as to stop the superabundant How of Hap thus curtailing its growing powers. Again, a tree that is producing very little or no new wood should have some of the old limba cut back severely, reducing the head so as to jiive the tree a chance of throwing out a growth of new healthy wood. By following up this course* year after year with old trees it is possible to almost entirely renew the tree. At the same tirr.e give moderate dre?sing with manure round the roots of the tree. Fine healthy ticca bearing good crops of fruit will need careful management so as to keep them open, and to admit plonty of sun and air. At the same time care must be taken so as not to cut out too much wood, for fear of starting them into too vigorous growth. Whenever a" tree shows such a tendency, root prune. With the pruning of young trees there is a good deal of difference of opinion, ?>ome hold it is oetter to let a young tree alone for a year or so before applying much of tho knife. But I hold that whatever shape or form you wish the tree to take, the first year of planting out it mu9t be taken in hand, as theyounger a treeisthfi more easily it is to induce branches to grow in a given direction. With forest trees — especially some of the deciduous varieties I know it is the practice in Britain to let them £trotv for a year or so, then cut them back and allow them to ehoot out again, afterwards eelect ing the strongest shoot and allowing it to grow, This is all very well when it is only the production of clean straight timber that is» aimed at. Bo in planting out an orchard the planter should make up his mind while planting what shape he wants his trees to assume, and the same eeaaon prune back the young trees to buds which will throw out branches in such directions. The test form for all trees is to cause them to break near the ground in order to have trees with low heads ; aboutl to Is feet from the ground is high 6nough for any tree to send out its branches from the trunk. There are several reasons for causing trees to break clo^e to the ground. First : A low headed tree will make strong upright branches. Second : Any pruning, whether it be winter or summer pruning, will be much easier performed, and the training of the branches can also be much better taken in hand. HOBTUS.

(To ht Continued, )