552 PRUNING EVERGREENS. [Jan. 



tendency to become bare below in the course of years. But this 

 may be prevented to a large extent by the moderate use of the 

 knife on the upper parts of each plant. There should be no hedging 

 in with shears, but a cutting out of over-luxuriant shoots bodily, yet 

 not so as to affect the natural form and character of the plants. 

 Competing leaders ought never to be permitted in such trees, 



Ehododendrons are greatly benefited by timely and judicious 

 pruning, yet it is no uncommon thing to meet with practical men 

 who scout the bare idea of applying the knife to them. But it is 

 occasionally the fate of such people, or of those who may have to 

 deal with their errors, to be compelled to use the saw to remedy the 

 effects of the neglect of the early and considerate use of the knife 

 or the finger and thumb. How often do we see rhododendrons 

 when planted for cover or undergrowth permitted to ramble in 

 unrestrained wildness, with here and there a giant limb favoured 

 perhaps with a little more light than the others springing from tlie 

 same root or stem, and endeavouring to rival the stature of the 

 trees overhead. It is waste to permit such growth to make undue 

 headway, because it impoverishes the rest of the plant ; it also 

 frustrates the practical object in view, which is to produce under- 

 growth, and it is not generally necessary that it should be more 

 than a few feet high. The timely use of the knife in all such cases 

 would facilitate the development of lateral growth, which is just the 

 thing wanted. I have in these remarks had the common pontic 

 and other cheap varieties of rhododendrons used for covert and 

 underwood planting chiefly in view, but they apply with equal 

 propriety to the choice hybrid sorts which are more usually planted 

 in ornamental plantations for the beauty of their flowers. Any 

 irregularity of growth that may be permitted in these must destroy 

 the balance that should subsist in each plant. It is easily pre- 

 vented when it first manifests itself, but quickly works mischief 

 when it is permitted to make way. 



I need not pursue the subject with further examples. All that 

 is needed is intelligent observation to detect and promptly check 

 undue irregularity, and to keep a right balance of foliage on all 

 parts of the individual plants, and in accordance with the natural 

 character of each. 



I consider the best time to prune evergreens is spring. 



J. M'Intosh. 



