METHOD OF USING THE KNIEE. 



303 



enable it to sustain itself from injury while bearing 

 heavy crops ; and to adapt it to the peculiarities of 

 climate, soil, or position. 



The facts which are to be kept in mind as neces- 

 sary to good pruning are — 



First, the importance of a sharp knife, with which 

 to perform the operation. The wood of all plants 

 is composed of cells and of woody fibre. If a keen 

 instrument separate these, the neighboring parts 

 are not materially disturbed, and their action will 

 be continued, and the wound healed ; but if the 

 knife is dull it tears these one from another, and 

 disarranges the tissue surrounding, so that, unless 

 the plant is very vigorous, the outer parts decay, and 

 the wound becomes an unsightly scar. 



Second, the method of making the cut} So many 

 instances occur of ugly knots disfiguring the tree 

 from an utter disregard of this, that the following 

 plates are inserted. 



1 The remarks under this head were suj^gestcd by an article in the Gardeners' 

 Chi'oniclc of IS 17, and the plates arc thence derived. 



