HOW THE LIMBS ARE TO BE CUT 



63 



be severed practically parallel to its parent branch and close 

 to it. Some of the worst examples of pruning (or of tree 

 butchery) are to be found along streets where trees have 

 been cut to allow the passage of telephone and telegraph 

 wires and other improvements. Only careful and practiced 

 persons should be allowed to prune street trees. 



136. Pruning may be performed at any time of the year, 

 depending on the climate and the objects to be attained. 

 Fruit trees and shade trees are usually pruned in spring, 

 before the leaves appear. Sometimes the heading in of fruit 

 trees is performed in late summer or fall, but late winter and 

 spring pruning for all trees is most favored in cold climates. 



109. Poor pruning 



110. Good pruning. 



Review. — What do you understand by pruning? What does prun- 

 ing accomplish? Is it "unnatural"? How should newly set trees and 

 plants be pruned? Why? What relation has pruning to the bearing 

 wood? What are the considerations in the pruning of flowering shrubs'.' 

 What kind of pruning is practised on weak or injured plants? How 

 should the pruning wounds be made? How do wounds heal'.' When 

 may pruning be performed? How would you prune a bearing apple 

 tree (ask some one who knows)? A raspberry or blackberry bush? 



