150 THE PRINCIPLES OF PRUNING 



fore, is to strip off all the frozen shoots soon 

 after the disaster, so as to allow the energies of 

 the plant to divert themselves to the production 

 of new shoots. When the injured parts are soft 

 and small, it is customar}- to remove them by 

 pulling them off, rather than by cutting them 

 off. In well pruned vineyards the cost of strip- 

 ping ought not to exceed one dollar an acre." 



4. A pruned plant tends to resume its natural 

 habit. 



Every plant has individuality. One plant is un- 

 like every other plant. It may be round-headed, 

 conical-headed, very straight or strict, prostrate, 

 and the like. In whatever way or however much 

 the plant may be pruned, it immediately makes 

 an effort to regain its former or habitual shape 

 and behavior ; and the more vigorous the plant, 

 the more rapidly and completely does it resume 

 its former state. Vigorous firs and spruces make 

 a new leader without difficulty; the Northern 

 Spy tends to grow erect, however much it is 

 pruned, whereas the Longfield tends as persis- 

 tently to droop. It is evident, therefore, that 

 the most rational pruning when fruit and the 

 welfare of the plant are chief concerns is that 

 which allows the plant to take its natural form, 

 merely correcting its minor faults here and there. 

 In a pear orchard, for example, there should be 

 as many types or methods of pruning as 



