ELEMENTARY PRUNING 



be studied on this point individually before 

 the pruning shears are applied, and the 

 right time for cutting determined upon. 

 My method is to prune severely without ref- 

 erence to flowers or fruit, for several years, 

 until the shrub is compact, symmetrical, 

 and vigorous. After that I do not prune at 

 all, except to cut away straggling branches, 

 old dead canes, or such clipping as is neces- 

 sary to prevent it from getting ragged or 

 ugly. Left to itself in this way, with only 

 a little guidance, the shrub will soon take 

 its own graceful shape, which will be far 

 more decorative than anything one can 

 prune it into. 



In planting a shrub one should ascertain 

 at the beginning, and take into account, 

 what its height and natural habit will be 

 when mature, also how much space it will 

 cover in the bed. When I planted mine 

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