DIFFERENT MKTHODS OF PRUNING. 41 



only find that many diverse opinions are held, and the most opposite 

 methods practised, but also that some of the various modes of 

 operating are founded not on sound principles, hut on the most, 

 incompatible theories. 



In pruning, perhaps more than any other department of practical 

 arboriculture, we have it within our power to adopt an almost 

 uniform system of operation ; but for want of due attention being 

 paid to sound and definite fundamental principles, there is scarcely a 

 point on which absolute unanimity of opinion or practice exists. We 

 do not mean to assert that an absolute law could be laid down that 

 would be applicable to every peculiarity of kinds and ages of trees, 

 so that the precise time to operate at the first and all subsequent 

 primings could be determined without first having examined and 

 acquired a knowledge of the trees to be operated on. A certain 

 amount of practical skill, along with an intimate knowledge of 

 general first principles, is essential to determine this in a judicious 

 manner. But w r e consider it quite possible to attain to absolute 

 unauimity in regard to the system of pruning that is to be adopted ; 

 and, in fact, we would almost say that the Scottish Arbori- 

 cultural Society has but very inadequately fulfilled her mission so 

 long as there exist so many conflicting opinions in regard to this 

 subject. 



An impartial inquiry into the advantages of the different methods 

 of pruning will doubtless be well calculated to assist in arriving at 

 the best system. By testing the one system against the other, we 

 may find how far each can be applied judiciously and successfully to 

 the various peculiarities of individual trees, so as to best bring about 

 the fundamental object of pruning, which is the ornamental appear- 

 ance, or the production of the greatest amount of thoroughly sound 

 and clean timber. By thus as it were comparing the capabilities 

 and the results of the application of the one system with the other, 

 Ave may be able to discover which is most conducive to the direction 

 of the nutritive energies of the tree, so that the greatest proportion 

 of the nutriment will be appropriated to the elongation and increase 

 of the circumference of the stem, rather than to the production of 

 contending leaders and strong side branches. If this be (as it doubtless 

 is) the primary object of pruning, then the great art of the pruner 

 is to prevent the formation of these overstrong side branches, and by 

 timely checking to restrain and control them, so that they may be- 

 come subservient to the extension of the stem, and be made to con- 

 tribute to the growth and production of a sound bole of timber, and 



VOL. VIT. PART I. D 



