PRUNING IN GENERAL. 73 



the tree is still reaching upward for light. The 

 weaker ones fail in the race for light, and the 

 fittest only survive. The annual layers of wood 

 soon cover the wounds, or knots, and we have the 

 first conditions for "clear lumber." 



There is a communication through the bark of 

 the tree with the atmosphere, as there is through 

 the skin of an animal, measurably, and in order to 

 maintain this mechanism in a healthy condition it 

 seems that nature requires it to be kept in the 

 shade, wholly or partially, and she will provide for 

 herself just right if left to her own will. 



There is not an exact similarity between the 

 growth of the natural forest and the growth of the 

 orchard, or isolated trees; yet the principle is the 

 ame underlying the production of each ; and it is 

 this that we are trying to study. We raise the 

 orchard from the start artificially ; and when we leave 

 nature and pursue art in this manner we shall be 

 compelled to follow art in a measure; but we should 

 keep as close to nature as possible and practicable. 



Trees in the forest grow closely; they not only 

 protect each other, but each specimen is supplied 

 with a means of protecting itself, should it become 

 isolated. The stronger outgrow the weaker, which 

 thus being robbed of light are "shaded to death." 

 The same process continues as long as there are any 

 weak ones, and only " the fittest" survive. 



This same shading process is nature's manner of 

 pruning. As the trees attain size, and each is 

 reaching up for the light, the upper branches be- 



