Praning may be performed with a pruning knite, secateurs, 

 parang, or small hand-saw, but in all cases the branch should 

 be removed as close to its base as possible leaving a clean, slightly 

 sloping cut. Cover the scar completely over with coaltar, taking 

 care that no tar is allowed to trickle down the bark of the tree. As 

 any unprotected wound or scar is liable to introduce fungi to the 

 tree, it is better to apply the tar two times, i.e., once immediately the 

 branch has been removed and again about a fortnight later. Never 

 leave scars or cuts unprotected for any length of time. 



If it is decided to remove some of the branches say ol a Mangos- 

 teen tree, then immediately the fruit has been gathered is the best 

 time to do so. This allows the remaining branches to enjoy, during 

 the whole of the following growing period, the additional supply of 

 sap thus caused, and consequently the tree produces larger and better 

 fruits the ensuing season. When one sees the numerous inferior 

 Mangosteens placed on the market, it is surprising that some such 

 method of thinning out of the branches has not been practised. 

 Neglecting to thin out the weaker branches is one of the causes by 

 which we get an enormous crop of medium-sized fruits one season fol- 

 lowed by a more or less dearth during the next season. Even in this 

 country where growth is extrem^^ly rapid, a tree cannot be expected 

 to yield large crops of first class fruits regularly each season, unless 

 some such method of thinning out of branches is adopted. The 

 Chiku (Achras sapota) is another fruit which would be immensely 

 improved by the judicious removal of many of the weak branches 



The first thing to be done when pruning trees, shrubs or any sort 

 of plant is commenced is the removal of all dead and dying branches 

 {even if nothing else is done, all such branches should be removed as 

 soon as they appear.) All the weak and useless shoots should then 

 be removed. In pruning ornamental trees or shrubs one must 

 endeavour to preserve the natural symmetry of the plant, but if as is 

 often the case, one branch has a tendency to outgrow its neighbours, 

 then it may be pruned about two feet lower than the tips of the 

 others. If, however, on branching again it still has the same 

 tendency, it should be removed altogether as this excess of growth is 

 probably due to its being in direct contact with a large and strong root. 



Shade trees and roadside trees in particular require frequent 

 prunings to obtain the necessary amount of shade with the minimum 

 amount of waste branches. To do this, one must commence pruning 

 shortly after they are removed to their permanent quarters. In 

 many instances, young trees are lifted from the nurser}' beds and 

 planted without the least care and forethought. Prepari:tions shou'd 

 be made some time beforehand so that the roots are exposed to as 

 few drying influences as possible. 



Seedling trees have usually one main shoot which varies in 

 length according to the vigour of each particular variety. If such a 

 tree as this be lifted and p'.anted, in all probability the leaves shrivel 

 and die, causing the death of the shaot two th-ee feet from the tip. 

 It takes some con^^iderable time for the tree to recover fr )m such 

 a check and also produces an unnecessary amount of lateral 



