A Tour through the Woods and Forests of 

 Duff House, Banffshire. 



{Continued from page 633.) 



Eesuming our conversation on the subject of pruning, at the foot 

 of the Monk's Hill, under the dark umbrageous shade of a majestic 

 Silver fir, we were much edified with the debate whicli was conducted 

 by two practical foresters. Very many analogous illustrations were 

 brought to bear on this most important subject, both physiologically 

 and in relation to the production of timber of most value, also, at 

 what season of the year is it best to perform the operation of 

 pruning ? 



To give this discussion in full would be more than enough for the 

 pages of this Journal ; suffice it to say that the ultimate result was — 

 close pruning is injurious to the production of timber of the greatest 

 value. Tliis we can easily believe ; in fact, we can substantiate it, for 

 on examining the many trees in our walk over the grounds we re- 

 gretted very much to see so many large limbs sawn off the numerous- 

 trees, and were informed that after felling the same many were almost 

 useless, owing to the fact of the wound not having healed, consequently 

 the duramen or heartwood decayed, thereby forming a receptacle 

 for the lodgment of the rain-water, until from this part a good way 

 downwards it was entirely rotten. Another system was that of " snag 

 pruning," by cutting the branch off about one foot or more from the 

 stem or trunk. This system was considered to have the same effects 

 as close pruning, only it took a few years longer before its effects 

 reached the main stem ; yet in the long run its physiological effects 

 were the same, i.e. injurious to the growth of the tree, and detrimental 

 to the value of its timber. 



The third and last system of pruning was that of foreshortening the 

 branches, by cutting back any long rambling branch to about one- 

 third or two-thirds of its entire length, as the habit and balance of the 

 tree should warrant, always lopping off the same at a joint. By this 

 method the branch continues to grow ; the leaves, being the lungs of 

 the plant, are in a measure not destroyed, and its breathing powers not 

 virtually reduced ; the appearance of the tree improved, its timber not 

 impaired, but the production of the same increased by more strength 

 or vigour being thrown into the main stem. The seasons of pruning 



VOL. I. 3 c 



