PRUNING 229 



4. If there are any trees in the neighborhood that have been pol- 

 larded, visit them for study. 



5. Try the effect of girdling the branch of some tree that can be 

 spared. 



6. Pinch back melons, cucumbers, cosmos, and various erect-growing 

 plants and compare the subsequent growth with that of others of the 

 same kind that have not been so treated. 



7. Visit cemeteries, parks, and large private grounds for examples 

 of topiary work. 



8. Remove all but the principal flower bud from a plant and com- 

 pare the size of the single flower thus produced with that of the flowers 

 on a similar plant that has not been disbudded. 



9. If there are hedges on the school grounds, prune them ; if not, 

 select a desirable spot and plant one. 



10. Select two tomato plants as nearly alike as possible. Remove 

 all suckers from one as soon as they appear and allow the other to grow 

 naturally. How does the fruit of the two plants compare in size ? in 

 number? in total weight? 



11. Repair any cavities in the trees on the school grounds by the 

 method described in this book. 



References 



Bailey, "The Pruning Book." 

 Bailey, ft Manual of Gardening." 

 Fernow, "The Care of Trees." 



Farmers' Bulletin 



181. Pruning. 



