CHAPTER XXI. 



" Topping" Objects of Proper height In exposed situa- 

 tions In sheltered situations The true criterion- 

 Economy of space Argument against high plants 

 General mean height Suckers Time for topping 

 Method Handling Objects of primary branches 

 Secondaries Open centres Early handling Pruning 

 Form of plant described by Laborie General objects 

 to be kept in view Single branches Suppression of 

 unnecessary growth Maiden crop Knife pruning first 

 season Next year's wood Tertiary branches Criterion 

 of good pruning Regular handling, easy pruning 

 Women and children Pruning neglected trees Gradual 

 reclamation Violent treatment Heavy pruning 

 Opening out thickets Primaries not to be cut Care 

 and intelligence indispensable. 



As soon as the young trees have reached the proper 

 height, it becomes necessary to check their further 

 upward growth. This operation is termed "top- 

 ping" as applied to coffee, and answers to what is 

 known as "heading down " amongEnglish gardeners. 

 The objects of topping are to restrict the height of 

 the plant within limits at which it can be conve- 

 niently dealt with by the coolies, in the various 

 processes of pruning, crop-picking &c., and to force 



