THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 71 



cutting off the blooming stalks immediately after flowering, as its 

 disposition of growth does not admit of the use of the knife in its 

 adult state. There are two periods of Heath pruning. I a each a 

 different object being in view, the principle of pruning must of 

 course be varied. 



In the one case the object is to form the plant ; in the other, to 

 induce it to produce bloom. The foundation of the future plant can, 

 in the majority of cases, be formed in one season, if pruning is 

 necessary. If the species be of tho kind not admitting the knife, it 

 will form itself ; but of these we have nothing to do at present. 

 Presuming it is well formed and full of promise for future excel- 

 lence, it now arises — how can it be induced to retiin the character 

 and reward us by a rich display of bloom ? When a Heath has pro- 

 duced its bloom for the season, it immediately commences producing 

 wood for the next period of blooming ; and as the Heath, in common 

 with many genera to which it is allied, increases its growth in the 

 main by the simple elongation of the growing points, or by laterals 

 near those extremities, and as the foliage is permanently cast from 

 the wood of more than two seasons' growth, it follows that if shoots 

 of eight or ten inches in length are left from year to year, the 

 appearance of the plant will be anything but pleasing after a few 

 seasons' growth. 



As soon as possible after the flowers begin to fade on the free- 

 growing kinds, bring the knife into requisition ; and in the use of it 

 some little practice is necessary, not so much in the mere mechanical 

 application as in judging of the mo3t suitable way in which to 

 apply it. 



Physiology teaches us, and the theory is correct, that those parts 

 of a plant possessing the greatest amount of fully-organized cellular 

 tissue, or that substance from which all the several parts of a plant, 

 including the reproductive system, derives their formation and 

 nourishment, will produce the most perfect branches, if means are 

 taken for their proper development. It follows that the pruning of 

 any given shoot should take place precisely at the point exhibiting 

 these characteristics in the highest development. 



This being done, the otherwise dormant buds in the immediate 

 vicinity of the incision will immediately start into activity, and the 

 result will be strong and vigorous shoots, which, if left untouched, 

 will continue to grow up to the expansion of their flower buds. In 

 fact, a Heath can scarcely ever be said to be wholly inert ; for, 

 except when under the liberal application of the knife, when of 

 course the system receives a partial check, it is perpetually growing. 

 I have said, if the shoots produced after pruning are left to them- 

 selves, they will continue elongating till the flowers begin to expand. 

 Now,- in many cases, and in the formation of the formal specimens 

 before alluded to, it is indispensable that these shoots should again 

 be topped ; the result is for every shoot which, if left uutopped tiL 

 after blooming, would have produced nine or twelve inches in length 

 adorned with bloom, three or four inches each occupying its place, 

 producing a more bushy and pyramidical plant, it is true, but far 

 deficient in nobleness of appearance. In conclusion, I would say, 



March. 



