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CHAPTER VI. 



GAVIN CUBE'S SYSTEM OF PRUNING. 



NATURE, it is true, performs her own work unerr- 

 ingly, and so far as relates to natural productions she 

 does, unaided, all that is required or desirable better 

 far than by the assistance of art. In the culture of 

 forest-trees, however, which are produced for purposes 

 of art and industry rather than natural objects, the 

 aid of art is called in to direct, or it may be to sub- 

 vert, the ordinary course of nature. Wide and differ- 

 ent opinions, however, prevail, both amongst theorists 

 and practical men, as to how much, and what part, art 

 should be called upon to perform in the culture of 

 forest-trees, or how far nature should be allowed to 

 take her own course undisturbed ; it becomes the more 

 necessary, therefore, to point out carefully the various 

 results of the different modes of pruning, the various 

 species of coniferse, and leave those specially interested 

 to judge for themselves which course to adopt. 



Between forty and fifty years have now elapsed since 

 pruning conifers was first practised in this country, 

 if not upon a gigantic scale, at least sufficiently varied 

 and extensive to allow those who wish instruction 

 upon the subject to witness, learn, and judge for them- 

 selves as to results. The pruning referred to, as 



