PRUNING OF TREES AND SHRUBS 35 



removed, they should first be cut through 

 at any convenient distance from the main 

 stem and then close to the trunk. Under- 

 cutting by a few draughts of the saw in 

 order to prevent the bark and wood from 

 tearing when the severed branch falls away 

 is to be recommended. In order to pre- 

 vent water lodging on the freshly cut sur- 

 face, the face and edge of each wound should 

 be neatly dressed and made quite smooth by 

 a sharp knife or adze and then painted or 

 tarred over. When cutting over an upright 

 growing branch never cut on the horizontal, 

 but always in a sloping direction, so that the 

 rain may pass off quickly. Much mischief 

 has been done by the pruning knife and saw 

 in the hands of inexperienced workmen a 

 fact that will be patent to every interested 

 person who watches the operation as being 

 carried out by the workmen of some of the 

 city and suburban councils. When conducted 

 with care, on sound principles, the effect of 

 pruning on standard trees should be rather 

 beneficial than otherwise, whereas when done 



D 2 



