42 REPORT ON THE PRUNING OF FOREST TREES. 



the improvements of the plants of the farm, the field being so 

 extensive, neglected, and varied, that associations alone can enter 

 upon the task with a hope of success. In following out this course 

 of improvement three departments demand especial attention : — 



1st, The ascertaining of the best variety for any given locality. 

 This important object can be best effected by comparative trials 

 of different varieties for a series of years, made on such a scale 

 and in such a manner as will command public confidence. When 

 this object has been satisfactorily accomplished, the next step 

 ought to be the obtaining of genuine seeds of the best varieties. 

 This will be easily attained by inspecting the crops growing, and 

 publicly exhibiting the seeds with specimens of the plant. 

 Lastly, rewards ought to be held out for the best new seedlings 

 brought forward at a given time, and in the event of any of them 

 proving equal or superior to the standard kinds the reward to be 

 greatly increased. 



Such a course of agricultural plant improving as hath been 

 pointed out may meet with little favour in many quarters, the 

 slowness of the process, the attention required, and the limited 

 remuneration usually attending success in this department, are 

 obstacles to its adoption by individuals, and pressing grounds 

 for associations taking it up. 



EEPORT ON THE PRUNING OF FOREST TREES. 



By John Morrison, Coney Park Nursery, Stirling. 



[Premium — Medium Gold Medal] 



The improved system of husbandry which has come to be adopted 

 in this country, has tended to raise the physical, moral, and 

 religious condition of the people in an eminent degree. From a 

 state of the utmost rudeness and imperfection, agriculture has 

 become a regular science, and attained an excellence which has 

 compelled it to be acknowledged as a source of national wealth, 

 equal in importance, if not superior, to manufactures or trade. 



The greater abundance and moderate price of food resulting 

 from the better cultivation of land, must always be regarded as 

 chief elements in promoting the contentment, happiness, and in- 

 telligence of the people ; for by being enabled to procure addi- 

 tional comforts, and even many of the luxuries of life, they are 

 encouraged and stimulated to devote attention to the advance- 

 ment of the arts and sciences, and the diffusion of the blessings 

 of peace, plenty, and religion, over the world. 



Great as has been the revolution already effected by such 

 means, the improvements of which husbandry is still susceptible 

 are constantly becoming more apparent. Tracts of hitherto barren 

 •country are being gradually brought into cultivation, by means 



