PRUNING. 75 



ly extended to other fruit trees. When the twigs 

 become stunted and mossy, sometimes they are 

 trimmed hy the tempest, or broken down by an un- 

 timely fall of snow ; and then the benefits of prun- 

 ing are manifest, even when done in that rough 

 style. Tt is better, however, to depend on art than 

 accident. As a general rule, the best flavored 

 fruit of the kind grows on the most vigorous branch- 

 es well exposed to sun and air ; and with this idea 

 constantly before ws, we shall hardly do amiss when 

 we apply the axe, the saw, or the chisel ; though 

 we may specify that cross branches should be lop- 

 ped, and thrifty shoots that have room to spread, 

 should be saved." 



There is, however, more care and judgment 

 needed in pruning large trees, than perhaps any 

 other operation in their management. It is next to 

 impossible to give particular rules, as circumstances 

 vary so much that no two trees are to be treated 

 precisely alike. 



The best practice, undoubtedly, is trimming 

 moderately every year or two, as trees may need it, 

 which obviates the necessity of cutting away much 

 at a time, or making large wounds by sawing off 

 heavy branches. 



A very common error in pruning old trees, con- 

 sists in trimming up the branches to a height of 

 ten or fifteen feet from the ground ; which, without 

 much benefiting the growth of the tree, renders its 



