REPORT ON THE PRUNING OF FOREST TREES. 43 



of draining and planting; fields are sheltered, and facilities afforded 

 for the raising of superior crops, and rearing of cattle ; the seats 

 of the wealthy are embellished, the landscape beautified, the local 

 climate changed for the better, and the value of estates very con- 

 siderably augmented. 



Timber being a most necessary and valuable article, not 

 merely as regards domestic comfort and convenience, but like- 

 wise in a commercial and national point of view, information re- 

 specting the proper management of wood must be considered as 

 of great importance. One of the most effective means to be em- 

 ployed for promoting the healthy condition and increasing the 

 value of plantations, is pruning ; and on the necessity and ad- 

 vantages of such operations I beg to offer a few remarks. 



The chief object of pruning is to prevent the vital energy of 

 the tree being wastefully expended, and to direct it into the 

 proper and natural channels, so that it may become profitable. 

 By the judicious use of the knife nature is materially assisted in 

 her efforts to produce an abundant quantity and good quality of 

 timber, while, at the same time, the permanent health and beauty 

 of the tree are greatly promoted. 



The necessity for and advantages of pruning forest trees, 

 may be urged and supported by reference, to the beneficial results 

 attending the pruning and training of fruit trees. The attention 

 of the gardener is directed to the best means for promoting the 

 ample supply and excellence of his fruit ; but he finds that by 

 allowing a superabundance of branches, he does not always gather 

 a proportionate quantity of produce, for in such cases the sap is 

 drawn forth in the maintenance of superfluous wood and leaves, 

 and the resources of the plant for the production and nourish- 

 ment of fruit are thereby exhausted. Hence, it becomes neces- 

 sary to thin out the wood to some extent, and allow the essential 

 property of the tree to flow in a fruit-bearing direction, care be- 

 ing taken, while doing so, to preserve the proper balance of 

 vigour in the subject, by not exceeding the just limit of reduc- 

 tion. In general, a uniform system of pruning fruit trees is 

 followed, and experience testifies alike to the necessity and advan- 

 tages of the operation. 



The aim of the forester, however, is the production of timber, 

 not fruit; but although his object is thus somewhat different from 

 that of the gardener, the seasonable and careful use of the knife 

 will, nevertheless, be found a most effective means of its attain- 

 ment. There is great force in the old proverb, — 



" Just as the twig is bent, the tree 's inclined ;" 



and the writer has often had occasion to remark its literal truth. 

 In the case of an oak, forty or fifty years old, and which has had 

 no kind hand in the course of that period to check its wild luxuri- 



