PRUNING THE QUINCE. 65 



between the roots and branches, evil results will surely 

 follow. The accumulated life-force sets the roots to 

 forming new spongioles, and the buds to developing 

 their leaves ; the elementary substances, which the roots 

 absorb, are acted on by the leaves, and the new mate- 

 rial thus prepared extends both the roots and branches. 

 If transplanting has been well performed, the tree will 

 need little more pruning than would otherwise be desir- 

 able to promote a more vigorous growth ; but if the roots 

 have suffered in being dug, there will be a decided ad- 

 vantage in cutting back the new shoots to the fewest 



Fig. 44. PRUNING SHEARS. 



buds that will give the desired form to the head of the 

 tree. 



2. PRUNING FOR FORM. The intelligent and observ- 

 ing horticulturist will find, by starting with a young tree, 

 that he can secure almost any form desired, by judicious 

 pruning. Trees make the most vigorous growth from 

 terminal buds. By cutting off the shoots by upper and 

 under buds the new growth will be upward or downward ; 

 and side buds will give a growth to the right or the left. 

 Keeping in mind the general principle that limbs must not 

 grow so as to cross and chafe each other, I have settled into 

 the practice of cutting back all my trees annually, begin- 

 ning when they are one year old, and following them up 

 as they increase in size and multiply their branches. The 



