HEADING -IN 157 



8. The tendency of plants is to grow from the 



uppermost buds; and this tendency is most 

 pronounced in young plants. 



We have had ample proof of this in Chapters 

 I. and II. We know that it must be so, too, from 

 the fact that it is the natural outcome of struggle 

 for light and air, and from the fact that were it 

 not so, strict -stemmed plants would grow broad 

 rather than high. If these considerations do not 

 satisfy the reader, let him go out and look. 



We may prune in such way as to maintain or 

 augment this natural tendency, or to thwart it. 

 The means of checking it are of two types, 

 hindering the upward flow of sap (as by girdling, 

 notching, bending, twisting, and the like, discussed 

 in Sections 10, 13, and in Chapter V.), and by 

 heading -in. To consideration of the latter cate- 

 gory we shall now proceed. 



9. The heading -in of young growths tends to 



develop the lateral and the dormant buds. 



That is, headed- in plants thicken and broaden 

 their tops. The objects of heading-in are two, 

 to correct an objectionable habit, and to induce 

 fruit -bearing. The latter consideration is dis- 

 cussed specifically in Section 15. 



Inasmuch as* the shape which a plant shall 

 assume is largely a question of personal prefer- 

 ence, it is impossible always to give good advice 

 respecting the heading-in of trees and shrubs. 



