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UKMAUKS «)N riCUNlNO. 



matured, wliicli is iiidispotisablo to a fniiliiii,' coinlitioii. This etioct is pioduccd by 

 pruning when the plant is in full fuliation and vi-forous growth. If defcrrod until tho 

 leaves perform their allotted functions, a contrary effect is produced, hy reducing 

 tho branches after the fall of tho leaf, the balance of power is destroyed, and the roots 

 have the preponderance : new shoots are then produced witli incrcjised size and rigor. 

 Hence it is a well known "axiom with successful cultivator.^ that summer pruning 

 weakens, wliile winter pruning strengthens a plant. The whole art of pruning is 

 comprehended in the proper application of these principles ; and when we consider in 

 this connection the innumerable and widely varied causes which render pruning neces- 

 sary, we will at once seo the folly of attempting to establish a dednite rule that will 

 be a safe guide to the inexperienced. 



In the practical application of the above rules, tlie pruner must be guided by tho 

 condition of the tree to be operated upon. In young trees it is evident that a healthy, 

 vigorous, and extended system of roots is the most important consideration. To 

 secure this, we must carefully preserve every shoot and leaf during summer, and prune 

 it down immediately the season's growth is completed. In an abstract view it does 

 seem a negative practice to allow a branch to grow and then cut it off and throw it 

 away. I confess that, in common with many others, such was at one time my belief, 

 and that something would be gained in establishing the base of a young plant by 

 pinching the ends of strong shoots during summer, with the view of encouraging the 

 production of laterals. After repeated and extended experiment on a variety of 

 young fruit and also ornamental plants, I am convinced that, as a general thing, the 

 practice is decidedly injurious.* No doubt we can thus ska2)e the plant at once, but 

 at the expense of future vigor and permanent health. Secure a healthy root action 

 by winter pruning closely a season or two, and then summer pruning may be resorted 

 to with the best results. 



The cultivation of pyramidal Pear trees is at present attracting some notice, and as 

 pruning forms a principal auxiliary in securing any desired form, very much will, of 

 course, depend upon tho system pursued. No class of fruit trees present a greater 

 dissimilarity of growth than Pears — consequently the treatment of each variety forms, 

 as it were, a distinct study. Many sorts assume a pyramidal habit almost intuitively, 

 while others require the greatest care to bring them into that form ; their treatment 

 must bo widely different. Taking the Winter Nells as a familiar example of the 

 latter class, we find a straggly, horizontal growing tendency to counteract. To do 

 this, winter pruning must be vigorously persevered in until the plant sends up vigorous 

 growths. The summer management will then consist in checking the growth of the 

 strongest shoots by pinching their extremities, reserving a considerable portion for 

 winter removal in order to keep up a slight preponderance in favor of root growth. 

 On the other hand may be cited the Beurre cV Areraherg and Glout Morceau as 

 representatives of a class that naturally form numerous side shoots and laterals. 

 Furtlier than a slight reduction of the first two years' growth these may be kept in 

 tLe most uniform shape by throwing the knife aside, and skillfully plying the fi 



* We quite agree witli Mr. Satisdees on this point, as regards the rearing of trees.— Ed. 



