496 Method of pruning ornamental Trees. 



much work with two men, and do it better than I could do 

 before with six men; and my mode of operating is this: — 



I cut a trench round the tree or shrub; then take the round 

 part of the machine,>'^^ 126. (which is made of oak, hke a very 

 flat dinner plate, and crossed with strong iron on the under 

 side, as represented in Jig. 127.)j fi>'st detaching the handles 

 from their swivel hooks (/%. 125. c). Then, by inclining the tree a 

 little on one side, I slip the machine under it, and let the tree 

 fall into its own place, when, taking the choice of two opposite 

 sides, where the branches are least in the way, we attach the two 

 handles ; and two men can lift the tree in a few seconds, without 

 even putting a hand to the stem or branches. 



Wilton, near Enniscorthi/, Nov. 2. 1836. 



Art. VI. An Account of a Method of pruning ornnmental Trees, 

 chiejiy Beech. By J. W. B. 



Being aware of your desire to give publicity to any plan 

 w^hich seems to promise improvement, I have here forwarded to 

 you an account of a method of pruning ornamental trees, chiefly 

 beech, which has been adopted by John S. Enys, Esq., and 

 executed, under his immediate superintendence, at Enys, near 

 Penryn. Most of these trees were planted about forty years 

 ago; and, from favourable circumstances of soil and shelter, were 

 in a flourishing state of growth, and were from 16 in. to 20 in. in 

 diameter, and perhaps 60 ft. high ; but, in consequence of neglect, 

 they had run up with several competing leaders. The best of 

 these leaders was left ; the others were shortened to one of the 

 side branches about three years since. The tops cut off varied 

 from 4 in. to 6 in. in diameter; and a stem was left from 10 ft. to 

 25 ft. long to its junction with the main trunk of the tree. The 

 outer side was partly cut first, and the remainder was sawn from 

 the inner side; so that the weight of the upper branches, aided 

 by the leaves, as it was never done except in summer, snapped 

 off* the top without splintering. 



The intended effect has been produced; viz., the selected 

 leader has begun to assume the decided character of a main 

 trunk ; while the condemned leaders, whose growth has been 

 checked in proportion to the amount of top taken offj have 

 become large subordinate branches, headed by the side shoots 

 which were left. It should be observed a sufficient quantity of 

 branches must be left attached to the remaining stem to keep it 

 in health, otherwise the defect of snag-pruning will not be 

 avoided. 



Although I have constantly passed under these trees since 

 December, the marks of the pruning are so little visible, that I 



