PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 37 



WISTARIA. These should be kept spurred in, 

 with the exception of the leading shoots, which 

 merely require a shortening in early spring accord- 

 ing to the strength of the plant. 



XANTHOCERAS. Requires no pruning. 



ZENOBIA. These require no pruning as a rule, 

 but occasionally a hard cutting back will induce 

 healthy growth in place of a weakly one. 



THINNING. It will be gathered from these notes 

 that thinning out only is needful in many cases. 

 If judicious thinning were more practised English 

 gardens would be more beautiful. It promotes 

 internal growth and a wealth of flowers. 



Pruning is frequently carelessly and ignorantly 

 done, and this applies especially to forest trees. 

 There are certain tools that may be used for the 

 purpose. Under ordinary circumstances only a few 

 are necessary, and these should always be of the best 

 quality, sharp, clean, and always kept ready for use. 

 Take the pruning knife for example. If this is not 

 sharp it is impossible to make the necessary clean 

 cut. The surface will be jagged and rough, and 

 probably promote disease. Some prefer secateurs, 

 and while admitting their value for pruning pur- 

 poses, a good sharp knife is preferable ; it is not 

 so heavy, and does not tire the hand. There are 

 several of these implements in the market, but the 

 best that has come under my notice is the tl improved 

 double cutting " ; it is easy to work and cuts clean. 

 For standard trees use the " Standard Tree Primer." 



