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in mind that in dealing with deciduous trees or shrubs water should 

 never be given before growth commences in the spring, or after it ceases 

 in the summer. Orange trees and other evergreens require to be 

 treated somewhat differently, as they are always more or less in an 

 active state of growth, and consequently absorb more moisture from the 

 soiL These trees may require several waterings during the year, and 

 at any time, according to the weather ; but, as a matter of course, their 

 demands will be greater in the summer than at other periods. There is 

 another matter that cultivators must give attention to in connexion 

 with the irrigation of fruit trees and shrubs, and that is to make ample 

 provision for quick drainage, when necessary. In sandy, gravelly, or 

 open limestone soils there will often be sufficient natural drainage to 

 free the ground quickly ; but in tenacious, clayey, or loamy land the 

 conditions are somewhat different. This kind of soil is in danger of 

 becoming a bog if water is supplied in addition to the rainfall, and no 

 provision is made for effective drainage. 



PRUNING. 



Pruning is one of the most important operations in horticulture, but 

 it is too often practised in a ''rule of thumb" fashion, without any 

 clear ideas as to the principles upon which the art is based. It is one 

 of those essential operations that cannot possibly be practised with full 

 success unless the worker clearly understands the principles of the art. 

 Pruning is a means to an end, and in performing the operation the 

 system adopted must be governed by the character of the plant and the 

 object to be attained. The theory of pruning is to promote development 

 in certain directions by checking it in others. There are two ways in 

 which this may be done, one being the cutting of the branches, and the 

 other the reduction of the roots. One method produces precisely the 

 opposite effect to the other, and by practising both in various degrees, 

 according to the local requirements and conditions of the trees, the 

 cultivator has the greatest command over growth that it is possible to 

 have by pruning, and the art of the gardener. The art of pruning is to 

 apply to the trees such treatment as will best accomplish some particular 

 purpose, and to do this successfully the operator must take into considera- 

 tion the peculiar circumstances of each tree before touching it, and fully 

 understand the result that will be the outcome of his proposed treatment. 



Objects to be attained by Pruning. Various and very dissimilar 

 objects are promoted by pruning, and they are as follows : First, to 

 modify the form of a tree or shrub by checking the growth of certain 

 parts, and increasing the vigour of others by concentrating more sap 

 into them. Second, to promote growth and bulk by reducing the 

 number of branches, and diverting the strength of the plant into fewer 

 channels. Third to increase the productiveness of the plants by 

 checking over-luxuriant growth, and encouraging the development of 

 fruit buds. Fourth, to prevent the spread of disease by the removal 

 of affected branches. Fifth, to improve the size and quality of fruit by 

 reducing the number of bearing shoots and buds. As a matter of course, 

 different systems must be adopted in order to attain these various objects. 



