THE SECKETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 387 



"when the branches arc too few and tlic head too open. Witli rei^ard to tlie 

 formation of a perfect outline, sucli a? a globuhir head, or conical shape, it is 

 necessary that the position of the terminal bud after prutiing should be consid- 

 ered. 



Such trees as grow rigidly upright may be induced to spread by always cut- 

 ting to an outside bud, while those, on the contrary, that invariably straggle 

 about or droop should be cut to an inside bud. We arc frequently deceived 

 in tlie younger years of the tree in regard to distances between the main limbs, 

 forgetting that in time the annual growth causes them to enlarge and soon to 

 become crowded. A limb removed when small causes little inconvenience to 

 the general health of the tree, but if cut off when large the vital forces are un- 

 deniably injured. The body of the tree does not grow lengthwise, but latitudi- 

 iially ; bearing this fact in view, it becomes a comparatively easy task to decide 

 how high the main body shall reach, as well as to decide where the principal 

 branches shall emanate from. AVood growth is at the extremities of the shoots, 

 and upon the outer surface, and when once formed is immovable so far as 

 enlargement is concerned. A fact not sufficiently borne in mind is that pruning 

 induces strong growth, but if persisted in for a series of years, enfeebles the 

 tree. It is well known that hedge plants when cut to the ground will send up 

 unusually strong canes, and this feature has been taken advantage of by some of 

 our nurserymen to form straight, strong stems to their trees. The young seed- 

 lings are planted in rows, and the succeeding spring are cut to the ground, 

 ■when they will make a stem devoid of blemish. The idea that some entertain 

 in regard to pruning over-luxuriant trees to induce fruitfulness is erroneous. 

 Curtailing the roots will answer, but so long as the roots remain undisturbed 

 and healthy, the branches will grow strongl}^, and cutting them off merely 

 induces a stronger growth, for a few years at least, 



The old tlieory of pruning evergreens was very crude, to say the least of it. 

 Practice has fully demonstrated that they may be pruned as thoroughly and as 

 devoid of any set rule as the deciduous class of trees. They possess the same 

 adventitious buds (dormant and unseen) as the latter, and these will jiush and 

 form branches when the shoots are cut off. Time was when it was deemed the 

 height of ignorance to cut off the leading shoot of any species of pine, while 

 the modern pruner pays not the least attention to this portion of his subject. 

 Pruning evergreens, Ijy the way, is even more beneficial than pruning the 

 deciduous class of trees, and yet it has not been much practiced. On the prin- 

 ciple that pruning induces growth, the shears, if applied annually to such 

 specimens will cause an additional number of young shoots to start, and thus 

 form a denser mass of foliage. The outline of the specimen is also improved, 

 and will retain its form in after years. Dissatisfaction has been expressed with 

 the modern system of pruning evergreens, on account of the excessive prim- 

 ness or formality of their appearance. True, when young, they bear a resem- 

 blance to the old Dutch topiary-work, but as time advances, and the shears are 

 withheld, the advantage of early and frequent pruning imparts a marked 

 character to tlie specimens obtainable in no other way. These remarks are 

 applicable to our liowering shrubs as well. As generally seen these are entirely 

 neglected, and yet after a few years' annual pruning into shape become perfect 

 models in outline and density, so that when covered with bloom, which they 

 will be in an increased ratio, the improvement is really wonderful. I have only 

 to add, by way of suggestion, never cut off a twig unless there is a good reason 

 for it, and let it be in accord with some definite purpose. 



JOSIAH HOOPES. 



