90 POPTJLAE ERRORS. 



established that orchard trees receive a check by 

 excessive pruning, the same as hedge plants which 

 are pruned for the express purpose of diminishing 

 their vigor. 



But, it may be asked, is it not sometimes neces- 

 ary to check the vigor of a tree in order to induce 

 fruitfulness ? Very rarely in this country. More 

 trees here are unfruitful from lack of moisture and 

 fertility in the soil than from excessive vigor in the 

 tree. Our changeable climate (cold winters and 

 hot summers) is generally sufficient to induce 

 fruitfulness as soon as a tree reaches a proper age. 



Pruning is not only less needed in this country 

 than in those having a milder climate, where there 

 is a greater tendency to form wood, but it is also 

 more injurious here. The wounds caused by 

 pruning do not heal as readily in our severe climate 

 as in a milder one, and the check to the tree is 

 therefore greater, especially in the case of many of 

 our fruit trees which are not native to this country 

 and not fully adapted to its climate. 



Pruning, of course, cannot be condemned alto- 

 gether, and this much has been said merely to 

 show that it should be practiced only when there 

 are excellent reasons for it. Large trees, especially, 

 should never be pruned to excess. 



In rare cases the vigor and health of a tree is 

 promoted by pruning. This occurs when the tree 



