APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM. 27 



must depend on the size of the trunk and the age 

 of the tree when first subjected to the operations of 

 pruning. 



Selection of the Leader. The branch most nearly per- 

 pendicular on the trunk of the tree should be selected 

 to form the leader ; and it may be stated as an abso- 

 lute rule, that whenever a branch near the top of the 

 tree stands vertically on the trunk, or even on any 

 part of the trunk ^ it should be preserved for the leader 

 (Fig. 22). 



Fig. 22. Oak sixty years old. Formation of a 

 leader from a vertical branch. 



And it is wrong to suppose that only the original 

 leader can be used. Its place may be often supplied 

 by one of the lateral branches even ; and by shorten- 

 ing the other branches to stimulate the growth of the 

 new leader, the tree will, in a few years, straighten up 

 in a manner which will appear astonishing to persons 



