I'KT.M.XC; 841 



accomplished at the expense of the. life or future usefulness of 

 the tree. 



PRUNING TOOLS 



Pruning tools are few and inexpensive. Always in evidence 

 among them is the saw. An implement with fine teeth should be 

 used for small trees and for large trees a somewhat coarser one 

 with a considerable set, and a narrow back in order that it will 

 not strike branches above when the branch below is severed. It 

 should be unnecessary to say that it ought to be sharp, not only 

 because much better work can be done, but also because a saw 

 that is dull will have the effect of putting the user in the same 

 condition. With it his work will be drudgery, rather than intelli- 

 gent effort resulting from a mental picture of trees " bearing fruit 

 after their kind " before him. 



Clippers are of questionable merit, for although, with them 

 time may be gained, nice work is lost, since it is difficult to make 

 a smooth, close cut with them. The clippers on an elongated 

 handle serve a useful purpose in cutting back or removing twigs 

 too high to be reached, but nevertheless one must remember the 

 danger of the rosette end where the cut is not made close to a 

 bud. A sharp, stout priming knife is to be preferred and occupies 

 second place after the saw. Such a knife should always be the 

 companion of the orchardist when he walks abroad among his 

 trees. The chisel bar for removing suckers is a good tool in the 

 hands of a careful man, but otherwise it is " a sword in the hands 

 of a child." 



There is only one place for the axe as an orchard tool and that is 

 to cut down a tree or trim out several branches. A wheel ladder 

 is very convenient and desirable for trimming the outside of trees. 



CONCLUSION 



We should so order all our pruning operations as to engender 

 fruitfulness and longevity as well as beauty in our trees, keeping 

 in mind the thought of Pope: 



" Like leaves of trees the race of man is found, 

 Now green in youth, now wilting on the ground; 

 Another race to follow, the spring supplies; 

 They fall successive and successive rise/' 



