274 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 







planted to an open situation, a good top. The same 

 evil occurs in the nursery or the forest, when the 

 young trees stand in a crowded position. In the 

 second case, we produce unsightly and compara- 

 tively unproductive tops. Since the offices and the 

 importance of leaves in the vegetable economy have 

 been better understood, a manifest improvement in 

 pruning has taken place. It is now contended, and, 

 we think, upon correct principles, that none, or but 

 very few of the lateral branches should be cut en- 

 tirely from young trees until the tree is tall enough 

 to form a head ; and that the pruner should be con- 

 tent with shortening those which interfere with the 

 main stem, and such as are of unreasonable length. 

 By this means we get a tapering and straight stem, 

 and retain the aid of a large portion of the leaves 

 towards its enlargement. Every leaf contributes to 

 the growth of the stem below the point of connex- 

 ion. When the tree has attained a proper height 

 to form the top x it is advisable, particularly with the 

 apple, to cut out the upright shoot, leaving three, or, 

 at most, four lateral branches upon different sides. 

 If a little attention is afterward annually given to 

 cutting out the small limbs which are likely to cross 

 or interfere with each other, the necessity of cutting 

 off large branches will be for a long time prevented. 

 In old trees, the older branches frequently become 

 cankered and diseased, and young, thrifty wood is 

 thrown out at or near their base. In this case, it is 

 always preferable to cut away the diseased wood, 

 leaving the healthy shoots to take their place. In 

 transplanting trees the knife should be used sparing- 

 ly. If the roots are greatly diminished in digging 

 up the tree, the top may be lightened by thinning its 

 branches ; or, if none of these can be spared with- 

 out marring the form, the longer branches may be 

 shortened, or cut in at a bud ; but we do not advise, 

 in any case, the cutting off the entire top. 



