PRUNING. 9 



Trees, even of the same species, differing as they 

 do in form of growth, require very different treat- 

 ment. Coxe, of New Jersey, recommends the 

 practice of forming the heads of trees in the nur- 

 sery the year before they are removed. Every 

 limb which crosses another should be taken off; 

 the external branches, particularly in apple and 

 pear trees, should be everywhere rendered thin 

 and pervious to the sun. The great principle to 

 be attended to in pruning apple trees, is cutting 

 out all dead, diseased, or useless branches, at 

 their base, and thinning those that are healthy 

 and vigorous, so that the sun and air may pene- 

 trate to (not through) every part of the tree. 

 Few people have confidence enough to do this 

 effectually ; but they may be assured that they 

 would have more and better fruit, were they to 

 retain one half the number of branches which in 

 general at present exist in most orchards. In 

 speaking as we have of the difficulty there is in 

 giving explicit directions on pruning, the fol- 

 lowing remarks of "Salisbury" are very judi- 

 cious : 



"Pruning trees is a work respecting which 

 every gardener pretends to have a competent 

 knowledge, and those who have written on the 

 subject have endeavored to lay down rules for 

 the operation ; but I confess, that although I 

 have had considerable experience for many 

 years, and know the theory on which rules for it 

 may be formed, yet I am incapable of communi- 

 cating my ideas on the subject, as it wholly de- 

 pends on the state of the trees ; and it would be 

 as absurd for me to tell any one what branches 

 he should cut out, and what leave, by description, 



