CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



OPINIONS, alike numerous and conflicting, are enter- 

 tained regarding the science, art, and practice of prun- 

 ing forest-trees ; and therefore, before entering upon 

 the various branches of the subject, it may be well 

 to hear what these have to say. 



Science has already done much to dispel darkness 

 and diffuse light upon other subjects, and it is not 

 expecting too much of her that she should have 

 done something also for pruning. Science, as far as 

 it appears, is perfectly sound and clear on the subject, 

 but is either too timid or embarrassed to speak out 

 on the subject in language clear and intelligible. 



Art is unmistakably in favour of pruning, for she 

 says the culture of forest-trees is mainly for purposes 

 of industry and art, and therefore she is simply doing 

 the initiatory part of her work when she lends her aid 

 to pruning. 



Practice is loud in her praises of pruning ; but her 

 confusion of voices and chaotic sounds so far obscure 

 her accents as to render her meaning unintelligible, 

 except indeed to the few. 



Professor Lindley says, " The object of the pruner 

 is to diminish the number of leaves and branches, 



o 



