64 QUINCE CULTURE. 
the bark of the stock, from too narrow a cross-cut to 
receive the shield of the bud, from using immature 
buds, from the shield being too short (it should be at 
least an inch long), and from being loosely tied, so as to 
dry out. The south side of a stock is dryer in summer, 
and so is to be avoided. 
CHAPTER XI, 
PRUNING THE QUINCE. 
In a natural condition we may regard it as a rule that 
the tree will maintain a harmonious relation of all its 
parts. The roots and branches will correspond with 
each other. Every twig, bud, or leaf removed from the 
top, and every fiber and spongelet cut off from the roots, 
will hurt or help the tree. No one is competent to re- 
duce the roots, or diminish the leaves and branches, 
unless he possesses enough knowledge of the laws which 
regulate the action of the organs of vegetation to foresee 
the effect which will follow such removals. J. Lindley 
truly says: ‘‘ If well-directed, pruning is one of the most 
useful, and, if ill-directed, it is among the most mis- 
chievous operations that can take place upon a plant.” 
1. PRUNING AT TRANSPLANTING.—As already stated 
elsewhere, all bruised and decayed roots should be re- 
moved ; but the case is different with healthy roots. We 
must remember that every healthy and unmutilated root 
which is removed is a loss of nutriment to the plant, and 
that, too, at a time when it is least able to spare it; and 
there can not be any advantage in the removal. The top 
should always be cut back at this time, so as to preserve 
a balance in its proportion to the reduced roots. If we 
infringe on the reciprocal action which naturally exists 
