STEMS 135 



When it blooms compare the flower with others from plants 

 which have not been so treated. 



How has the pruning affected the flower? 



Observations. How do florists treat the American 

 Beauty and other popular roses? How do they produce 

 the splendid chrysanthemums and carnations? 



Compare the fruit grown on an unpruned apple tree with 

 those which have been produced by a tree carefully pruned. 



Which tree produces the greater number of apples? 

 Which one produces the largest and finest apples ? 



Find answers to the following questions: 1. Why should 

 the branches be cut close to the main stem ? 



2. Why cut with a sharp saw or knife ? 



3. Why would you not prune an elm or a maple tree as 

 you would an apple tree or a pear tree ? 



4. How would you prune so as to produce a bushy plant? 



5. When is the best time of the year to prune? Why? 



6. Find out names of trees that are pruned for each of the 

 following purposes : 



(a) To improve the fruit. 



(6) To alter the shape. 



Nature prunes in various ways. Wind storms and light- 

 ning rend the trees, causing the weird and grotesque forms 

 sometimes seen on mountains and sea coasts where the trees 

 are exposed to the elements. 



Reasons for artificial pruning. 1. Trees which grow 

 in the open develop a dense mass of twigs and interlacing 

 branches. (Why?) Such trees will produce great quan- 

 tities of fruit, but it will be small and of poor quality. 

 (Why?) By carefully removing such branches as will 

 interfere with the light of others, larger and better fruit will 

 be produced. (Why?) 



