PRUNING BEFOR]-: PLANTING. 99 



It should liave been shortened in at about half 

 its height. The cross lines on Fig. 31 indicate places 

 on the limbs where the usual improper pruning 

 would be performed. Botli of these Figures ex- 

 hibit incorrect modes of shortening, which will in- 

 duce a growth that becomes very difficult to shape 

 into regularity. To form a pyramid of the tree 

 sliown at Fig. 30, its branches should be shortened 

 to two or three buds, and the young shoots formed from 

 these, pinched during the latter part of June, to in- 

 duce the lower dormant buds to push out. But the 

 method most certain of producing the basis for a well- 

 shaped pyramid is the summer pinching of the maiden 

 plant, as shown at Fig. 31, which is the form that the 

 tree at Fig. 29 would have assumed in autumn, if 

 pinched during the preceding July. This last-men- 

 tioned tree will now need to be shortened-in much 

 below the mark at A, to induce lateral shoots in the 

 proper place to form a well-balanced pyramid. 'No 

 general rule for pruning trees before planting would 

 accurately meet the necessities of each case, but it will 

 be safe to recommend, that when branches or branch 

 spurs have not formed low down upon the stem, or 

 when the tree is not stocky and vigorous, or when 

 the roots are much shortened in digging, the tree 

 should be cut back one-half of its height. No one 

 who prizes ultimate excellence more than the present 

 appearance of his trees, but will prune mercilessly all 

 the parts that conflict with their perfection of shape. 

 In most instances, trees are retarded for two or three 

 years by permitting too large a quantity of foliage 

 to remain. Too many branches are demanding a mere 



