CHAPTER XLIV. 



ON PRUNING LARGE PLANTS. 



THE best time to do this work is during the months of 

 January and February, when re-potting or when examin- 

 ing the plants; or it can be done just before they begin 

 to make their growth. 



As a general thing, the growth of the Camellia plant 

 for one season is only from two to four inches. 



A little judgment must be used as to the way to prune, 

 and what to cut away. 



In pruning good healthy plants, cut all small and twig- 

 gy shoots from the middle of the plant; also all branches 

 that have dead or dormant eyes, cut back to a prominent 

 eye. 



Keep in mind that there is nothing so unsightly in a 

 collection of Camellias as a straggling, unshapely plant, 

 with but few leaves, and these on the top shoots, and the 

 plant supported with sticks. 



This plant should be grown in such a way that it can 

 support its own wood without the aid of sticks. 



For sickly plants use the knife freely, cut well back, 

 not looking for a prominent eye, but for the shape of the 

 plant. 



It will be of little consequence should the plant be 

 void of foliage after this pruning. 



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