mo 



On pruning Furcsl Trees. 



cut through the pitli and opposite branches of a pine or fir 

 tree, to bliow the ellects of pruning. 



Fig. 50. Section of a tree of wliich the branches had cUctl, or been cut 



off in tiic tliirJ year [irogrcssivcly. 

 Fig- 5 1 • Section of" a stem of sixteen years' growth, showing the remains 



of branches pruned in tlie tenth and twelftli years. 



Fi^. 52. Section, showing the effects of irregular pruning at different 



times. 

 Fig. 53. Section of a stem which has never been pruned. 



It may be observed of pine timber in general, that it is less 

 liable to be deteriorated by dead stumps of branches than the 

 timber of deciduous trees; the resinous quality of the sap 

 ))revents decay, and, being concentrated in the closer texture 

 of the knots, renders them even harder than the other parts 

 of the wood. But the sap of oak, ash, elm, and most other 

 forest trees, has no such preservative qualities ; a rotten 

 stumpof a branch will often cause the destruction of the finest 

 trunk. It may be added, in conclusion, that cutting close to 

 the bole, provided it be done in time, is the only way to 

 obtain clean-grained timber, as the above figures show. 

 Stopping or cutting off' the branches at some distance from 



