Pi'iining Trees. 34^ 



induced to communicate the results of their thought and experience. And 

 I would urge upon those who are engaged in raising new varieties of pears 

 from seed, the importance of directing their efforts to obtaining sorts which 

 may be kept through the winter as easily and certainly as apples are now. 



PRUNING TREES. 



Set a green hand to prune trees where limbs of any size are to be re- 

 moved, and the chances are, ten to one, that he will commence at the top, 

 and saw through the limb, until it falls by its own weight; tearing down the 

 bark and wood, inflicting a great, ugly wound, which may require years to 

 heal, and which, if not carefully protected from the weather, will cause such 

 decay as to destroy the tree. The method commonly recommended to 

 prevent such injury is to begin at the bottom, and cut lialf-way through, 

 and then finish from the top, or, with very large limbs, to have them sup- 

 ported by a crotched pole or pitchfork held by an assistant below ; but we 

 have found a better plan, and quite as easy, to be to make two cuts, the 

 first at a convenient distance, say a foot, from the point where we wish the 

 limb removed. This short stump can, except in the case of very large 

 limbs, be easily held in one hand, while the final cut is made with the 

 other. 



After a large limb is sawed off, the surface should be pared smooth; 

 and, for this purpose, we have frequently found a common carpenter's chisel, 

 about two inches wide, much more convenient than a pruning-knife. To 

 prevent decay, there is nothing better than one or two coats of good oil- 

 paint ; and it should be as near the color of the bark as possible, so as not 

 to disfigure the tree. All tools used in pruning should be of the best qual- 

 it}', and kept as sharp as possible : it is poor economy to use any others. 

 Limbs are sometimes cut too close ; but for ever}' such one there are a hun- 

 dred not cut close enough. Every cut, large or small, should be made in 

 a smooth, clean, workmanlike manner ; a poor workman is soon known by 

 hacking off a limb with a dull knife, leaving as many facets as on a multi- 

 plying glass. 



