GENERAL PRACTICE. PRUNING. 157 



essential that they know how to prune their own trees. Endeavour will be made to give 

 plain, progressive lessons in order that the subject may be comprehended root and 

 branch, for pruning cannot be satisfactorily conducted if the operator has not a clear 

 conception of the character and condition of the roots of the trees. With this knowledge, 

 and it can be acquired by a study of the branches, he will be able to proceed on sound 

 lines to the certain attainment of the object in view ; but without the requisite knowledge 

 his work may amount to nothing more nor less than hazardous, wasteful mutilation. 



It is not too much to say that thousands of trees have been spoiled by the injudi- 

 cious use of the knife, and good crops of fruit prevented ; and it is no less true, on the 

 other hand, that great numbers have been ruined through neglect of its timely and 

 proper application. The particular methods of pruning different kinds of fruit trees and 

 bushes will be detailed under each kind, but there are general principles which apply to 

 all. Methods, however, must of necessity vary in accordance with the desired shapes 

 or forms of trees, and for adapting them to certain positions, also at the same time 

 promoting and retaining their fruit- producing character. Bearing these facts in mind, 

 for facts they undoubtedly are, it seems that the greatest want of the times, and it will, 

 of necessity, always exist, as sure as boys will be always growing into manhood, is 

 education in discrimination. When the true condition of a tree is fully comprehended, 

 and a clear conception formed of the ideal to be attained, and this is practicable, pruning 

 is almost reduced to a question of mathematics ; whereas, in the absence of the capacity 

 for correct discrimination, the work must be conducted by a mere rule-of-thumb process, 

 and this will be quite as likely, and perhaps more likely, to be wrong than right. 



Limited as trees in gardens are to space, whether cultivated as pyramids and bushes, 

 or trained to walls and espaliers, the necessity for pruning arises. This is of three des- 

 criptions, namely, summer, winter, and root. All have for their object the origination 

 of new parts, for increasing the size or moulding the form of trees, the diversion of sap 

 from over- vigorous to enfeebled branches, and the reduction of barren and the production 

 of fruitful wood and healthy roots. When fruit is required on a small area it is not 

 wise to occupy it with standard trees, but the space at command is better utilised by 

 planting dwarf or formal-trained trees so as to afford a successional supply of the choicest 

 fruit. 



Methods of Pruning : the " Cut." When and where incised wounds are made has 

 an important bearing on results. Those inflicted in winter remain open until new wood 

 is formed. Soft, long-jointed shoots with large pith suffer the most damage from cold, 



