TO PROMOTE FRUITFULNESS. 



from the 1st to the 15th of March, and go on with 

 the work through April. I do not remember a 

 single instance, nor can I find one in my note-book, 

 where the end of a branch or twig was injured by 

 cold weather, when the trees were trimmed after the 

 first of March ; neither have I observed any ill ef- 

 fects from pruning pear trees in April, although in 

 the latter part of the month, if warm weather sets 

 in, the buds swell rapidly, and leaves appear before 

 the first of May, It is not best to do much cutting, 

 except on very young trees, while the foliage is com- 

 ing out. 



When the trees are seven or eight feet high, the 

 pruning can be done with greater ease and rapidity 

 by the use of a trimming shears ; the same as fig. 7. 



The Gardener's Monthly published an essay on 

 the ''Philosophy of Pruning," read before the Pa. 

 Horticultural Society, by Dr. J. A. Warder. After 

 some very excellent general directions about the 

 management of trees in the nursery rows, so as to 

 give them the best form, the Dr. says : " The second 

 object of pruning being to promote fruitfulness in 

 the trees, it should be done chiefly during the sum- 

 mer or during the period of growth. At the same 

 time or during the growing season, much may be 

 done to advantage; both in thinning out and short- 

 ening in such parts of the tree as need these plans 



