FEBRUARY. 339 



PESTS. 



If rabbits trouble trees, some blood sprinkled about, 

 or liver or bloody meat rubbed on the trunks, will keep 

 them off. Mice sometimes girdle trees and shrubs under 

 the snow, which may be prevented by trampling down 

 the snow close to the tree. Now is a good time to trap 

 these pests, as their food is scarce and they are easily 

 tempted by bait. Destroy the eggs of the destructive 

 caterpillar if any are seen around the twigs of trees, near 

 the ends. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



FEBRUARY. 



PRUNING DECIDUOUS TREES AND SHRUBS. 



In the South, pruning of all kinds of deciduous 

 growths may take place at any time in the winter, while 

 at the North mild weather in February and March is the 

 preferred time with most gardeners. Pruning is an 

 operation not invested with mystery, as is too much sup- 

 posed. The cutting is based upon this principle: as 

 trees and shrubs develop buds along the branches, so the 

 cutting away of any part of a branch necessarily con- 

 fines future growth to the remaining buds, and with the 

 effect usually of improving both the shape and vigor of 

 the growth. It is necessary, to be sure, to exercise judg- 

 ment as to where the cuts should be made, and the opera- 

 tion must also be adapted to different kinds of plants 

 and for different purposes, but beyond this there is no 

 secret about this matter. 



Trees, which it is desirable to make bushy, should have 

 the ends of their branches cut back occasionally. Al- 

 most the entire list of moderate sized trees may be kept 



