The Canadian Horticulturist. 215 



PRUNING TREES. 



ANY trees suffer from excessive pruning ; while as many pro- 

 bably fail to meet the results anticipated by cultivators, through 

 a want of pruning. No one can be taught how to prune properly, 

 unless the object to be attained by such pruning is clearly kept 

 in view. The student of this practical horticulture, coming into 

 Philadelphia by the Pa. R. R. may see an admirable lesson in 

 this line from the large forest trees in the vicinity of the Zoological 

 gardens. These have evidently suffered at some time or another from starvation. 

 In natural woods, trees receive a great deal of food from the decay of fallen 

 leaves which accumulate beneath them ; this collects sand and other mineral 

 matters, and forms an excellent opportunity of giving food to the roots. When 

 the surface is kept clear, as it ought to be kept clear for popular enjoyment, the 

 trees have no opportunity of getting the nutrition necessary to sustain a vigorous 

 hold on life. When a dry season comes of extra severity, or an extra severe 

 winter is experienced, the vital power being low, large branches get weak, or in 

 many cases, nearly die. In the illustration we have above referred to, these 

 trees simply had the heads cut off. The trees were, in common language, pol- 

 larded ; but the branches shot out with litte more vigor than before, because the 

 trouble was not this excess of branches, but the deficiency of food. As a con- 

 sequence, the stumps are rotting away at the centre, and it will not be many 

 years before these fine specimens of the ancient forests of Pennsylvania will dis- 

 appear. If a large amount ot surface manuring had been applied instead of head- 

 ing off the trees, it would have been a life-saving, instead of a life-destroying, 

 operation. It will be seen then, that the object for which we prune must be 

 first considered before pruning is resorted to. 



In connection with orchard trees, the same thoughtfulness before com- 

 mencing to prune is required. It is essential that a tree should have a large 

 amount of healthy foliage rather than the same quantity of half starved leaves, 

 Branches in the interior of the tree, bearing only half shaded or weak leaves, 

 are of little use. If these are taken out, the vital energies are directed into the 

 healthier branches, which are made still more healthy, and give good results. 

 But it may be that the trees have been allowed to overbear and the larger 

 branches have had their life-principle somewhat exhausted. In such a case, in- 

 stead of pruning out the younger branches in the interior, it is better to cut away 

 the larger and somewhat exhausted ones and leave a younger race of shoots to 

 take their place. These illustrations are given to show that the whole question 

 of whether pruning is or is not an advantage, is wholly dependent on the object 

 which it is attempted to gain, and this can only be answered by the facts in each 

 individual case. — Meehan's Monthly. 



