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SYEVA AMERICANA. 



PLATE CXI. 



Second. There are three different kinds or modes of pruning, 

 which, in practice, have been named close pruning (a, Plate 111). 

 Snag pruning (6), and foreshortening (c). 



By leaving a snag (b) of the branch, 

 it in time forms a blemish in the timber, 

 in consequence of young wood forming 

 round the stump, and embedding it in 

 the tree. Snag pruning is the most 

 rude and injudicious mode that can be 

 practised, being invariably attended 

 with injury to the quality of the timber : 

 it should never be adopted under any 

 circumstances whatever. Close pruning (a) is performed by 

 sawing or cutting off a branch close to its parent stem or primary 

 leading branch (c). This is the only mode to be adopted in 

 training, or rather improving, the stem or bole of a tree, or 

 wherever it is desirable that no reproduction of branches from 

 the point should follow. The most perfect manner of executing 

 the work is to saw the branch off close to the parent stem, and 

 smooth any roughness that may be left on the surface of the 

 wound with a sharp knife, taking care not to reduce the edges of 

 the bark which surround the wound more than is actually necessary 

 to remove the lacerated surface. To prevent the action of air 

 and moisture on the naked wood, a dressing should be applied, 

 composed of ingredients that will adhere to the spot, and resist 

 the action of drought and rain. Three parts of cow dung and 

 one of sifted lime will be found a very effective substitute for the 

 more compound dressing of Forsyth. The dressing should be 

 laid on one quarter of an inch in thickness, or more when the 

 wound is large : when rendered smooth and firmly pressed to 

 the part, powdered lime should be thrown over the surface, and 

 pressed into it by the flat side of the pruning knife, or a spatula. 

 The bark will sooner cover the wound when protected from the 

 influence of the weather by this or by any similar means, than 

 when left naked and exposed. 



In general forest pruning this process is unnecessary, or rather 

 the benefit is not sufficiently great to warrant its cost ; but for 



