CHAPTER XL 



PRUNING OF PLANTS. 



I. General Principles. 



Sound reasoning' is the first requisite to sue- 

 ::ess in pruning. 



1. It should be borne in mind that the first 

 work of importance in growing a plant is the 

 development of a strong, i^'cll-fornicd organism. 

 This development depends upon selection, 

 pruning, food supply, and other environmental 

 conditions. 



2. The basic principle of all subsequent prun- 

 ing is the fact that the paramount purpose of 

 the plant {to itself ) is that of perpetuating the 

 species, and that it does this both asexually and 

 sexually. 



Asexual reproduction is accomplished b)- the 

 formation of buds, which develop into branches. 

 These may or may not become separate plants. 



Sexual reproduction is accomplished by the 

 formation of buds, which develop into flowers 

 and fruit, the seed of which give rise to separate 

 plants. One of these methods of reproduction 

 is apt to predominate, and hence the food 

 supph' will be taken for its support at the ex- 

 pense of the other method. 



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