WOUNDS IN PRUNING. 173 



of another description had been unnecessary, 

 or had never been inflicted. 



I here allude to the necessity of lopping 

 by the bole, all stumps, &c. occasioned by 

 formerly injudicious pruning, and the wan- 

 ton folly of those who lop large branches by, 

 or near to the stem, when simply shortening 

 them at a proper distance would answer a 

 better purpose. But, since it becomes ne- 

 cessary, to clear formerly-injured trees, of 

 stumps, &c. in order to prevent farther de- 

 cay, it also becomes our duty to follow the 

 most rational and simple mode of treat- 

 ment. 



With this view, I shall briefly observe, 

 that, whenever it becomes necessary to lop 

 a stump by the bole, or to shorten any branch 

 larger than the wrist or ankle ; in the former 

 case, the wound should be to the quick, 

 that is, to the level of the bark on the stem 

 at least ; and in the latter, obliquely across 

 the branch, so as, from its position, to pre- 

 vent moisture from lodging : being careful 

 to prevent laceration, by notching the bark 

 underneath, before the amputated part fall 

 down, or to one side. 



