Pruning and Training Plants 



121 



C D 



Fig. 65. A, cutting too far above the bud; B, cut- 

 ting too close; C, the cut as it should be; D, 

 removal of a branch, the cross-line indicating 

 the proper place for the cut. 



185. Pruning Transplanted Plants. In transplanting 

 plants many of the roots are destroyed, thus destroying 

 a natural balance. Transplanted plants, especially 

 woody ones, should 



have all injured 

 and extra-long 

 roots removed and 

 the top cut back 

 correspondingly. 

 (Figs. 63 and 64.) 



186. How to 

 Make the Cuts in 

 Pruning. When a 

 branch is removed, 

 we expose a part of 



the cambium and woody portions. Unless this is quickly 

 healed over, the wound may become diseased, and the 

 entire plant, in turn, before the callus grows over the cut 

 surface. It is important, therefore, that, in pruning, noth- 

 ing but sharp instruments be used, so that the cuts will 

 be smooth. Not only should suitable tools be used, but 

 care should be exercised to make the cuts so that the 

 least amount of callus will be needed to close the wound. 

 Callus cells are nourished by the reserve food. This 

 suggests that the line of cut should be close to the sup- 

 plies of reserve food. If a small branch is to be cut off, 

 make the cut close to a bud, as shown in Fig. 65 C. The 

 bud will grow out and the cut will heal over. If cut too 

 far above the bud, A, a dead stub will remain that cannot 

 be healed over. If cut too close to the bud, B, the bud 

 will die, and we have a stub the full length of the inter- 

 node. Side branches should be pruned close up to the 

 main stem, D. 



