152 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



unless decayed or broke by accident. All that 

 is necessary is shortening strong branches, 

 such as, in any considerable degree, seem 

 to cope with the stem. 



And this must be persevered in so long 

 as the intention is to produce straight timber : 

 First, By aid of light ladders, after the plant 

 shoots beyond reach from the ground, until 

 of sufficient strength to bear a boy or other 

 light person ; Secondly, By a person mount' 

 ing the tree with a light sharp bill, poeket 

 saw, and knife. These are all the imple- 

 ments necessary ; and if the pruning is not 

 neglected, but performed, as it ought to be, 

 every second or third season, the amputation 

 of no branch bigger than the wrist or ankle 

 will become necessary. 



The bill should have a light handle of three 

 or four feet, and is to be used in shortening 

 the distant extremities of branches not suf- 

 ficiently strong to support a person's weight. 

 The saw and knife are to be employed in 

 shortening branches within reach, and taking 

 clean off by the bole, to the depth of the bark, 

 all accidentally broken or bruised stumps ; 

 using the saw for amputating, and the knife 



