HOW TO PRUNE 



139 



There are two very strong reasons why pruning is usually 

 done during the dormant season, the first being that there is 

 usually more time at that season of the year, and the second 

 that a workman can judge better what branches ought to be re- 

 moved, because there are no leaves to interfere. It will be seen, 

 therefore, that the time for pruning is chosen largely from the 

 standpoint of convenience. Do it when it will best fit in with 

 the other farm work. 



How to Prune. The best way to make the cuts in pruning 

 is of far more importance than the time of making them. To 



FIG. 68. 



FIG. 69. 



FIG. 70. 



FIG. 68. A well-made wound. Such a wound will heal over if some dressing ia used to 



preserve the heart wood. 



FIG. 69. A well-made wound beginning to heal. With proper care such a wound will heal 

 over completely in a few years. 



FIG. 70. A well-made wound that has entirely healed over. 



begin with, every branch that is removed, whether it be small or 

 large, ought to be cut just as close to the limb from which it is 

 taken as possible (Fig. 68). There is no exception to this rule. 

 A large collection of these wounds was made in getting up an 

 exhibition on pruning, for a " better farming " train. With- 

 out any exception the wounds where long stubs had been left 

 were not healing well. Those that were old enough had already 

 begun to decay (Fig. 67). Those which had been cut close were 

 healing nicely. Some of these wounds are shown in Figures 68 

 and 69. Cutting back close like this is going to enlarge the 



