120 



The Canadian Hrticulturist. 



is in active operation, taking in from the atmosphere carbon, and otherwise 

 transforming the crude sap into a suitable Hquid for building up the cellular 

 tissues of the tree. To a limited extent this may be done in safety, but if done 

 too freely the tree will be some time in recovering its strength. 



On the other hand, early spring pruning, being done when the tree is dor- 

 mant, does not affect the vigor of the tree so much, and consequently strong 

 growth results in order to maintain the equilibrium between the roots and the 

 branches. 



In favor of the summer time, it is urged that wounds made then heal more 

 readily than when made in winter. This is true, for the growth at that time 

 begins to cover the wounds while they are yet fresh ; but perfect healing will 

 also follow the winter pruning, provided the wound is properly protected from 

 the air by paint or varnish. 



To a limited extent, then, summer pruning is advisable, especially where 

 trees are growing thriftily, and need a check to induce fruitfulness ; and the 

 proper time for it is when the first growth is completed, and the terminal bud 

 formed, for by that time the cambium is sufficiently matured to perform nature's 

 cure of the wounded portions. Generally speaking, this period is from the 

 middle of June until the middle of July. 



Winter pruning is generally adopted because it is the season of the greatest 

 leisure, and the naked limbs enable the operator to judge best which should be 

 removed ; but the term is misleading, for it must never be done when the wood 

 is frozen, and hence either the fall, the early spring, 

 or only the mild days of winter, are at all suitable. 



Another caution must here be given, and that is, 

 never to prune in spring after the buds begin to swell 

 and the first growth is pushing, for the sap, being 

 active and not yet sufficiently matured for healing the 

 cut, will leak, and this so-called " bleeding " will con- 

 tinue perhaps for a long time. 



So much concerning the time of pruning ; now 

 concerning the manner. We wholly condemn 

 the common custom of neglecting to prune until the 

 limbs are very large, or cutting them out in such a 

 way as to leave a stump sticking out from the trunk. 

 We copy from the American Garden an illustration, 

 Fig. 931, showing the evil effects of such faulty pruning, where the dead stubs 

 are gradually introducing decay into the heart of the tree, soon to cause a hol- 

 low trunk, and early death ; and Fig. 932, where at a? a limb has been lopped 

 off closely, and so healed that the scar is scarcely observable ; while at e some 

 have been removed in such a way as to leave open basins almost beyond the 

 power of nature to heal. Large limbs should never be removed, if possible to 

 avoid it, but, if necessary, they should immediately be covered with some pre- 



FiG. 931. 



