68 



CHAPTER 8. 

 PRUNING. 



In touching upon a few points in connection with this 

 important subject, I shall faithfully endeavour to adhere, to 

 what I have already stated in my C( general remarks " and 

 must disclaim all intention of attempting to deal with the 

 scientific pruning of new Estates. All I shall venture to do 

 is briefly to point out where danger generally threatens, and 

 endeavour to add to the general knowledge of the operation, 

 which I deeply regret to say is not so generally appreciated 

 as it should be. As before stated my remarks will more 

 affect the treatment of old, and hitherto badly pruned, coffee, 

 than tend to explain the principles of really scientific prun- 

 ing. As, however, in Mysore a great number of young hands 

 have not had the opportunity of judging for themselves as 

 to the exact period at which mistakes were formerly made, 

 I think few will object, if I first tread gently, on dangerous, 

 and to me forbidden ground, merely as a precautionary en- 

 deavour to save more from following in the steps of those 

 who have gone before them. My great endeavour is to give 

 matter for consideration, and I hope thus to elicit advice- 

 and assistance from practical members of the profession 

 to which I have the honor to belong. Why as fellow 

 workmen not let each other know where the slippery 

 places are in our path of daily routine ? Why not by 

 every endeavour in our power strive to allow the fresh 

 blood and energy of our younger hands be turned to 

 advancement ; rather than oblige every new comer to find 

 out everything for himself by the tedious process of ex- 

 perience ? Many mistakes may be easily avoided, and much 

 danger guarded against, by a few timely hints ; and barr- 

 ing a good practical insight into the more ordinary opera- 

 tions of daily occurrence I always think it is a pity to let 

 a newcomer trudge over all the circuitous paths of error 

 and misconception which in the absence of a friendly warn- 



