150 



PRUNING OF PLANTS 



that it is made of the best material and capable of keeping 

 a good cutting edge. Every cut must be made clean and 

 smooth, which can only be done by the best pruning tools. 

 The pruning saw, the pruning knife, and the pruning 

 shears are all necessary for the different kinds of pruning. 

 In selecting a pruning saw, get one that has the saw teeth 

 only on one edge. The two-edge pruning saw is of no value 

 and should be banished from the country. A small, narrow 

 saw resembling a compass saw, although somewhat longer and 

 slightly thicker, is perhaps the best type. These saws can be 



FIG. 65. Several types of pruning tools. 



purchased at reliable up-to-date stores. Several types of 

 good pruning shears are found on the market, and the ones 

 shown in the illustration are excellent types to use. The 

 pruning knife, however, is indispensable for cutting smaller 

 limbs. This is perhaps the best, too, since a cleaner cut can 

 be made with it than any other pruning tool. 



Cause for Pruning. Under natural conditions many plants 

 grow very thickly and produce so many branches that they 

 very often crowd each other. The older the plant gets the 

 more the limbs crowd, until the plant reaches a point that 

 the branches become so numerous that much light and air 



