90 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS. 



The chief purpose is to secure a strong growth of the plant capable 

 of foliage and bloom which is characteristic of the particular plant in 

 its best estate. Therefore the ultimate purpose indicated above as 

 belonging to cutting-back after transplanting, must be steadily held 

 in view in treating an established plant, for the same preponderating 

 force in the root must always be striven for. In the established plant, 

 pruning is not to get more growth. Observations have demonstrated 

 that one is apt to get more inches of new growth on a thrifty, estab- 

 lished plant by not pruning. But the growth is less capable of good 

 foliage and bloom. Therefore fewer inches with greater thickness 

 and capability is desirable. To that end, pruning is indispensable and 

 is effective if one does not neglect to give the plant what it needs to 

 make such growth; and, even under <a degree of hardship, the pruned 

 plant pleases better because its force is concentrated. Therefore the 

 chief purpose of pruning is served by removing or shortening slim 

 growths always by reducing or shortening stronger growths to cause 

 the development of better new growths, when the habit of the plant 

 is to proceed from leaf to flower from the same bud-break, and to 

 serve the same purpose, when several bud-breaks are expected in <a 

 season by pruning as many times as such breaks are expected to 

 appear. Therefore a gardener should be always thinking and always 

 pruning. He should usually do some pruning every time he cuts a 

 bloom, he can even have a thought for the force of the root when he 

 cuts a bloom-stem from a bulb. Therefore do not ask a friend "is it 

 the time to prune now"? It is a time to prune whenever there is a 

 reason for it, clear in your head. It is just as important to have your 

 thought sharp as your shears. 



Another purpose in pruning is to attain or retain proper form and 

 symmetry. To practice this one must have a proper conception of 

 symmetry in his head and foresight to prophesy the direction and 

 character of the new growth, which is to follow. This can only be at- 

 tained by observing and thinking; it can only be hinted at by conversa- 

 tion or writing. If you say to an expert friend: "Please tell me how 

 you prune roses," he will probably be somewhat flustered and say: 

 "Oh, get rid of a good part of the old wood and shorten the new 

 growth about one half." It is about as good a general statement as one 

 can make, but it requires a study of the bush itself to decide what old 

 wood should go and what should stay to support the new and to 

 decide also whether a new shoot should go entirely or whether a 

 half, a quarter or a single bud of it be retained. Aside from the 

 purpose in the preceding paragraph, that purpose has now to be reach- 

 ed by way of securing good form also. Pruning for form is >a kind of 

 sculpture and no one can become a sculptor by getting a recipe to 

 knock off half the marble. 



