7$ THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



not to be touched, unless they shall put forth 

 rival stems or leaders; in which case, the 

 weakest must be displaced. The Larch is to 

 be treated in the same manner. All branches 

 of the deciduous kinds, which seem to rival 

 the stem in size, or take upon them the of- 

 fice of leaders, are to be cut clean off by the 

 bole with a sharp knife. Others should not 

 in prudence be touched. The plant is not 

 to be pruned to a mere switch. Let us re- 

 member, we are" but the assistants and hum- 

 ble improvers, not the controllers of nature; 

 and that, if, by our over officious interference, 

 the plant shall be hurt in infancy, even time 

 itself will hardly repair the injury. 



