CHAPTER IV 



THE PRINCIPLES OF PRUNING 



We are now prepared to enter on a discussion 

 of some of the more fundamental considerations 

 governing the rational pruning of plants. It is 

 difficult to write on pruning, from the fact that no 

 two plants are alike, and many and various objects 

 are to be attained. It is impossible to instruct 

 any person in pruning by merely showing him how 

 to do the work on a given plant ; for the very 

 next plant may present a new set of problems. 

 If there are no generalizations or principles to be 

 enunciated, then writing on the subject is well 

 nigh useless. 



It is astonishing how few lucid conceptions there 

 are of the problems at issue in pruning, and of 

 the factors which modify the results. There is no 

 literature which seems to clearly analyze the whole 

 subject, at least from the fruit-grower's stand- 

 point, and to present any consecutive body of 

 laws upon which the intending operator can act. 

 It is unavoidable, therefore, that the present 

 sketch should be far from complete and satis- 

 factory. 



There are two great classes of ideas concerned 



(133) 



