118 GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 



studied in connection with the habits of growth and bear- 

 ing of the different fruit trees, pruning will be compara- 

 tively an easy matter. The mode of obtaining any par- 

 ticular form or character cannot fail to be perfectly plain 

 and simple ; yet no one need hope to accomplish, in all 

 things, the precise results aimed at, for even the most 

 skillful operator is sometimes disappointed ; but those who 

 give constant attention to their trees will always discover 

 a failure in time to apply a remedy. 



I insist upon it, because I have been taught it by most 

 abundant experience, that the most unremitting watch- 

 fulness is necessary in conducting trees in particular forms. 

 It is not, by any means, labor that is required, but attention 

 that the most delicate hand can perform. Fifteen or twenty 

 minutes at a time, say three times a week during active 

 growth, will be sufficient to examine every shoot on a 

 moderate collection of garden trees ; for the eye very soon 

 becomes trained so well to the work, that a glance at a 

 tree will detect the parts that are either too strong or too 

 weak, or that in any way require attention. This is one 

 of the most interesting features in the management of 

 garden trees. We are never allowed to forget them. 

 From day to day they require some attention, and offer 

 some new point of interest that attracts us to them, and 

 augments our solicitude for their prosperity, until it actu- 

 ally grows into enthusiasm. 



