60 



ing are inevitably tried one after the other in dealing with 

 works, the effects of which, cannot be judged of for at least 

 several years* Fresh energy should always be utilized, I 

 maintain, in developing and improving systems of general 

 culture, and in order to obtain the full benefit of such, all 

 fallacies should be freely exposed and every endeavour made 

 to have all mistakes, dangers, and known misconcep- 

 tions, clearly marked out on the Chart which has been 

 tediously prepared by dearly bought experience. The very 

 best book on Coffee planting is that written "by Mr. Hull, 

 and for all general purposes I consider it an invaluable 

 work, and one which every one who is interested in the en- 

 terprise should seriously peruse. The chapter on Pruning 

 gives a graphic description of much that is necessary, and 

 I almost feel a delicacy in attempting to touch on a subject 

 which has already received attention by such a competent 

 authority. My diffidence however, is considerably modified 

 when I remember that to some, much depends on the way 

 in which things are presented for their consideration, and 

 as my object is merely to assist rather than to instruct, I 

 will without further comment give a somewhat lengthy ex- 

 tract from the Dictionary of Daily Wants* which 1 consi- 

 der gives general, concise, and valuable information on the 

 reasons and objects of Systematic Pruning. 



I make a few alterations to suit Coffee, which will ba 

 noticed by the italics. 



' f In gardening and the culture of fruit trees pruning 

 " denotes the removal of all dry, useless and superfluous 

 " branches and portions of trees with the view of making 

 " them, more fruitful more regular in form and with great- 

 "er regularity to produce larger crops. If carried to 

 " too great an extent the desired result is not obtained, for 

 " every tree requires a certain amount of leaf surface for the 

 " elaboration of its sap, and therefore if this be reduced too 



* Page 808. 



