Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1912 — IMPORTANT REQUISITES IN MANAGING A PEAR ORCHARD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IMPORTANT REQUISITES IN MANAGING A PEAR ORCHARD

Prunins and Training of Trees Essential to Attain Symmetrical, Evenly Balanced Heads and Maintenance of Sufficient Foliage to Protect Trees and Branches From the Sun.

(By G. B. BRACKETT.)

Pruning and training are Important requisites in the successful manargAment of a pear orchard. The objects to be attained are: (1) symmetrical, evenly balanced heads; (2) the admission of sunlight and free circulation of air into all parts of the tree tops; and (3) the maintenance of sufficient foliage to protect the trunks and branches from the intense heat of

the sun’s rays which would otherwise be likely to scald and injure both tree and fruit Pruning should begin as soon as the trees have been planted by cutting back the young trees at the time of planting to the height from the ground it is proposed to start the branches to form the head of the tree, which should not be over 12 to 15 inches. This cutting back will cause several of the upper buds to break and grow, thus starting the top or head at the proper height. The starting branches should be watched and only such left to grow as are to form the main branches. The strongest shoots should be left at equal distances around the stem and should tend obliquely outward so as to spread and make an open head. The second yqar these shoots should be shortened back to the extent of about half of the growth. The same plan should be continued the third and fourth years. In all pruning to give the desired form to the head and especially while the tree is young, the orchardist should keep clearly fixed in his mind the form of the tree as it is to be when old; for what may seem to be an open head when the tree is young may prove to be too dense and crowded when the tree is older. The branches should not be too close together for convenience in gathering the fruit. During late winter, or in early spring before the sap starts, each tree should be carefully looked over and aH branches which are likely to inter-

sere with adjoining ones should be cut out and the centers of dense growth thinned out; side branches which are making a stronger growth than the others should be checked by shortening in, so as to maintain an evenly balanced head. Some varieties have an upright habit of growth and some make a slender, straggling growth. All need attention each year. In cutting back the last year’s growth the top bud should be left on the side of the branch facing the. direction in which the growth needs to be diverted. By this method there will be no difficulty in shaping the tree into any desired form. All pruning and training possible should be done while the trees are young and the growth of wood is tender. At such time the healing over is more rapid and complete, and the tree suffers less injury. Old trees that have been neglected may be renewed by severe pruning, cutting back all the branches that are not in a healthy condition. This pruning will cause new, vigorous shoots to grow. The new growth will need to be cut back as occasion requires. By persistent priming an entire new top may be formed in a few years. The pyramidal form differs from the vase form in that the main leading shoot of the tree Is allowed to maintain its upright growth and the side branches are shortened back so as to produce the shape of a pyramid. The intermediate form is probably

the best for training the pear. The tree is allowed to grow more in accord with its natural habit, but it must be checked and modified more or less in its growth so as to conform to the ideas of the planter. * (

Pyramidal Form of Top.

Vase or Goblet Form of Top.