68 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



whereby unseemly wounds might be left, and ranker 

 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 proper manner, a saw, 

 chisel, and pruning knife, must be provided. It will 

 next be requisite to have at hand some suitable com- 

 position to apply to the wounded parts, to defend a- 

 gainst wet, cold air, or the scorching sun. It is im- 

 material whether we employ Forsyth's composition, 

 or the clay as prepared for grafting, or an ointment 

 composed of rosin, beeswax, and turpentine. Some 

 prefer a composition of tar with a little beeswax, sim- 

 mered together, to which some red ochre is added. 

 This composition, or the above mentioned 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 prun- 

 ing, no particular unexceptionable rules can be pre- 

 scribed 5 much must depend on experience and atten- 

 tive observation. It is among the most important 

 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, as you may give the tree 

 its death-wound, by opening an avenue to the air and 

 water, which induce rottenness, and, in course of 

 time, the limb or trunk becomes hollow, frequently 

 to the roots. In pruning, some regard must be had 

 to soil and climate. If the situation be wet and cold, 

 trees should be pruned more open for the benefit of 

 sun and air, which are less essential in a dry san- 

 dy soil, where the fruit ripens better. Winter fruit 

 trees should have their branches left wider asunder 

 than summer frnit, as they require more warmth o/ 

 the sun than the latter. The general shape of old 



