274 The Absence of Trees from Prairies. [June, 



From the present theory of the action of the leaves, it might he natu- 

 rally expected that precisely the same consequences should result from a 

 diminution of foliage as from long intermissions of rain. This seems 

 also confirmed by the result of observation. According to Loudon, the 

 durable character of wood is much impaired by pruning, and long expe- 

 rience has shown the propriety of discontinuing the practice in Great 

 Britain. Indeed, the premature decay of fruit trees generally results 

 from over-pruning ; and the effects of a dry season will always operate 

 most injuriously on those trees which have been deprived of too much 

 foliage. 



And yet pruning is not Avithout its advantages. The vegetable extract 

 of the sap not changed into wood, though contributing muqh to the pre- 

 mature decline of the tree, is yet the proper nutriment for blossoms and 

 for fruit. Indeed, many trees will fail to produce fruit unless they are 

 pruned or stimulated by rich manures. Where rains are frequent, and, 

 accordingly, where the tendency to form wood is great, pruning becomes 

 more necessary ; but it should be carried on with much caution, or 

 entirely omitted in continental climates, where long drouths are of fre- 

 quent occurrence. In the dry summer of 1854, it was generally remarked 

 that those grape vines which were not pruned, produced abundantly ; and 

 an important fact recently communicated to me will throw much light 

 on the subject. In a vineyard situated about two miles from Xew Rich 

 mond, Ohio, there were a few grape vines which were never pruned, and 

 they remained wholly unproductive for several years, while all the rest 

 bore luxuriant crops. But, during the dry season alluded to (1854),- 

 the case was reversed — the unpruned vines bore for the first time an 

 unusually large number of grapes ; while the crop on the rest of the 

 vines was extremely small. Several other facts may be adduced to 

 prove the theory here stated respecting the agency of leaves in the form- 

 ation of wood, and the necessity of rains to render their action effective. 



<■•»•■ > 



Extreme Caution. — Sometime last Summer, a number of ladies and gen- 

 tlemen were visiting a garden, a short distance from this city. Among 

 the articles growing were some hops, which, to one young lady of the 

 party, were quite a novelty, and attracted her attention despite the more 

 showy and brilliant flowers which were in the vicinity. Observing, among 

 the hop plants, several differing from the rest, she inquired the reason. 



A gentleman informed her " that is the male hop, which " " Bless 



me ! " cried the young lady, '* I never knew there was such a thing as the 

 male hop before ; I shall be very cautious how I drink beer in future ! " 



