PRUNING. 87 



management. It is next to impossible to give particular 

 rules, as circumstances vary so much that no two trees are 

 to be treated precisely alike. But, keeping steadily the 

 objects of pruning in view, the admission of light, the re- 

 moval of crooked limbs, and the preservation of a handsome, 

 evenly distributed top, the careful operator can hardly do 

 amiss. 



The best practice, undoubtedly, is trimming moderately 

 every year or two, as the trees may need it, which obviates 

 the necessity of cutting away much at a time, or making 

 large wounds by sawing off heavy branches. 



In ordinary practice, it is carried to a much greater ex- 

 tent than the health of the tree, or the necessity of the case 

 requires. The safer error of the two, is trimming too little. 

 Small portions, frequently pruned off, are the utmost that are 

 needed. 



If judicious pruning is commenced early, and the growth 

 of crooked or improperly crowded branches prevented by a 

 timely removal of superabundant shoots, very little subse- 

 quent lopping will be necessary. Indeed, so much may be 

 accomplished by early care, that some skilful cultivators 

 have found it entirely needless to possess such a tool as a 

 pruning-knife or pruning-saw, accomplishing all they desire 

 by merely rubbing off the fresh shoots at the outset. The 

 cutting off of large limbs should only be resorted to in 

 cases of absolute necessity, or where trees have been for 

 a long time neglected till they have become an impenetra- 

 ble mass of brush. 



In -pruning standard trees, it should be observed, that the 

 older they become, the more caution is requisite to effect a 

 gradual and not a sudden reduction. With young trees, 

 the case is quite different, where free trimming may be un- 

 hesitatingly adopted, particularly with such kinds as the 

 peach, which quickly reproduce new branches. A familiar 

 instance of the safety of pruning heavily quite young trees, 

 occurs in the heading down of stocks to the inserted eye, 

 after the operation of budding. 



In heading large apple and pear trees, and especially the 

 latter, for the purpose of regrafling them, it is quite neces- 

 sary that it be done gradually, and in successive years. For, 



