64 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



extreme branches. In our New England climate, 

 we have the clearest indications that the sap com- 

 mences its circulation about the 10th of April. 

 From this period to about the last of May, whether 

 the buds are just opening, or the blossoms fully ex- 

 panded, the pruning should be accomplished. It 

 would, for certain reasons, however, seem advisa- 

 ble not to delay the operation after the first week 

 in May, as the branches are then so charged with 

 a full flow of sap, that the bark would be apt to 

 peel, whereby unseemly wounds might be left, and 

 canker induced : and besides, the undergrowth, 

 whether grass or grain, might be so far advanced 

 as to suffer injury by being trampled upon. For 

 the purpose of performing this operation in a pro- 

 per manner, a saw, chisel, and pruning knife, must 

 be provided. It will next be requisite to have at 

 hand some suitable composition to apply to the 

 wounded parts, to defend against wet, cold air, or 

 the scorching sun. It is immaterial whether we 

 employ Forsyth's composition, or the clay as pre- 

 pared for grafting, or an ointment composed of 

 rosin, beeswax, and turpentine. Some prefer a 

 composition of tar with a little beeswax, simmered 

 together, to which some red ochre is added. This 

 composition, or the abovementioned ointment, should 

 be of a proper consistence to be applied to the 

 wound with a knife or smooth stick, and they will ad- 

 here, and last two years without requiring to be re- 

 newed. With respect to the proper method of 

 pruning, no particular unexceptionable rules can be 

 prescribed ; much must depend on experience and 

 attentive observation. It is among the most im- 

 portant rules, however, not to amputate a large 

 limb, close to the main trunk of a full grown tree, 

 nor indeed a branch, which is too large at the 

 place of excision to heal or to close over again, a* 

 you may give the tree its death-wound, by opening 

 an avenue to the air and water, which induce rot- 



