HEDGEROW AND FIELD TIMBER. 561 
branches further up so as to maintain a symmetrical outline, there- 
fore let all endeavours be directed towards the furtherance of these 
ends. First, then, in training young trees to a stem let it be done 
gradually, year by year, until the intended height is attained, 
which, for the object under consideration, will be from 8 ft. to 
12 ft.; but on no account adopt the too oft-repeated method of 
cutting away all the lateral branches at once, for this is not only 
highly injurious to the young tree, but very unsightly as well. 
In removing the lower branches, cut these off at once close to the 
stem, and the results will be far more satisfactory than when the 
ruinous system of snag-pruning is resorted to ; and in doing so let 
the work go on gradually, say tier by tier each season, until the 
desired number is removed, which will give those further up the 
chance of becoming sufficiently numerous to bear the loss of the 
lower ones with impunity. All rampant or side branches should 
also be foreshortened by cutting back to some of the smaller 
branches, at the same time endeavouring to show as little appear- 
ance of pruning as possible, but to balance the trees by producing 
an easy but rather fastigiate outline. Rival leaders should also be 
attended to,—the worst being removed, and a few of the top shoots 
cut back, so as to throw additional vigour into the remaining one. 
If the above method of pruning is carefully and regularly carried 
out for the first twenty years of the tree’s growth, little or no atten- 
tion will be required afterwards, and they will present not only a 
sightly appearance in the landscape, but be almost non-injurious to 
crops in their immediate vicinity. 
The fences around each tree should also be carefully examined 
and repaired at least once each year, at the same time seeing that 
all stakes and ties are secure and serving the purpose for which they 
were intended. 
