268 



Principles of Plant Culture. 



should be strong enough to sustain hard pressure upon 

 the handle. 



In using the pruning knife, the shoot to be cut off 

 should generally be pressed with one hand toward the 

 member that supports it and the blade should be in- 

 serted at the proximal side. Care is necessary to pre- 

 vent the Wade from cutting too far. 



The pruning saw (Fig. 165) is useful for cutting off 

 large limbs. Two toothed edges are preferable to one, 

 as the second edge tends to prevent "pinch- 

 ing." It is well to have the teeth on one edge 

 point backward, as this enables the saw to cut 

 either when pushed or pulled. Sometimes the 

 blade is curved 

 like a sabre, with 

 the teeth on the 

 concave edge 

 pointing back- 

 ward. The blade 

 should taper near- 

 ly to a point, to 

 enable it to enter 

 between crowded 

 branches. 



The pruningl 

 shears (Fig. 166) FIG. IBS. FIG. 169. FIG. 170. 



FIG. 168. Lever shears (much reduced). 



may be Used tor FIG. 169. Pole shears. The wire con- 

 nects with a lever not shown in the figure. 

 the Same purpose FlG - 17 - Raspberry hook. 



as the pruning knife, but they cut less smoothly, and 

 less_closejto the supporting member. They should be 

 used with the beveled edge of the blade in close contact 



