134 STEMS 



119. PRUNING 



Object. To learn the effect of pruning a plant. 



Apparatus. Any rapid-growing plant, such as geranium, fuch- 

 sia, or coleus, and a sharp knife. 



Method. Remove the terminal bud from a main branch 

 and after a week note the result on the growth of the plant. 



In this way the shape of plants can be modified. 



How does pruning affect the growth of hedges, ornamental 

 shrubbery, etc. ? 



Observation. Go into the woods after a heavy snow- 

 fall or violent wind storm. How has nature pruned the 

 trees ? Examine the trees which grow in the thickest shade. 

 Look for dead branches caused by overshading. 



Examine poplar trees, which are common along city streets, 

 and willows growing in parks and lawns. Look for branches 

 which have died because of overshading by neighboring 

 branches. Trees in which this occurs are said to prune 

 themselves. 



This pruning is probably due to the fact that the branches 

 which receive the most light do the most work and so demand 

 the most sap. The overshaded branches, being deprived 

 of their nourishment, gradually die and drop off. 



A study of self -pruning will teach us many things which 

 will be of use in artificial pruning. 



120. PRUNING 



Object. To learn the effect of pruning flowers. 



Method. From a plant which is beginning to bud re- 

 move all the flower buds but one and remove also all side 

 branches. 



