298 PRUNING. 



aid of this contrivance, what operations should be 

 performed in order to reduce the tree to the desired 

 shape. 



" Eemembering that under ordinary circumstances 

 a vigorous, handsome tree must have a straight ver- 

 tical trunk and an evenly -balanced head, the first 

 object of pruning should be to produce these con- 

 ditions. The head, as has already been explained, 

 should be oval in form ; the height of this, how- 

 ever, 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 

 perpendicular on the trunk of the tree should be 

 selected to form the leader ; and it may be stated as 

 an absolute 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." 



These directions being French, are worthy of care- 

 ful consideration, and ought to be well considered 

 before adopting them, some of which are doubtless 

 worthy of trial, while others are not worth a moment's 

 thought. 



The first instrument used by the British forester is 

 the common forester's clasp pruning-knife, by which 

 mostly all pruning, so long as within reach of the 

 hand, is done, the great secret with which is to 

 keep it thoroughly sharp, and use it only when and 

 where required. 



There is next the pruning handsaw, for sawing off 

 such branches as are too strong to cut with the knife. 

 The spokeshave is used to smooth over the rough 

 surface and entirely obliterate the saw marks, after 



