PRUNING. 155 



All the art requisite for this purpose is, 

 to alter the position of the stem or leader, 

 by substituting in its place a side bough, 

 from time to time, according to the pro- 

 gress of the plant, the size of the bend or 

 knee, and the posture of the succeeding 

 bough intended for a leader. The care 

 consists in making clean and handsome 

 wounds, and preventing mortification by the 

 application of plaister, &c. of which see Sec- 

 tion X. 



1 do not presume that every oak tree is 

 to be, or may be converted to this use ; nor 

 even that a tree which is naturally fitted 

 for ribs is to be trained for knees, or the 

 contrary. But rather, that the natural bends 

 be as little constrained as possible ; taking 

 advantage of such turns only as will evidently 

 answer the purpose, whether of ribs or knees. 

 And it will also frequently occur, that a bot- 

 tom cut, both long and straight, and several 

 knees, &c. may be had of the same tree. 



It would now appear, that, to the ma- 

 nager of an oak wood, four important points 

 for consideration present themselves ; viz. 

 1st. Whether there is a demand for crooked 



