INSTRUMENTS FOR PRUNING. 299 



which the wound is dressed with paint, vegetable-tar, 

 creosote, or other suitable balsam for preserving the 

 wood from decay. 



We have next the pruning-chisel and mallet, for 

 cutting off such branches as are out of reach of the 

 hand, and especially such as are closely joined to the 

 stem of the tree. 



The averuncator is very useful for lopping off over- 

 hanging branches upon rides, and carriage- drives, and 

 walks, but it should not be employed for cutting 

 branches much over an inch diameter. The long- and 

 short -handled bill -hooks are also very suitable for 

 lightening heavy and protuding branches, but should 

 only be employed for cutting loose and stray ones, 

 and never such as grow close to the stem of the tree, 

 for which purpose they are not well adapted. 



There is also the pole-saw, a very useful instrument 

 in its place, and is often of great service in cutting- 

 branches so situated that they cannot be approached 

 by any other means. 



