PHILOSOPHY OF PRUNING. 255 



In the dense primeval forest we see nature's pruning ex- 

 hibited upon a grand and perfect scale; tall, straight, and 

 noble trunks rise majestically on every hand; not a twig 

 nor limb breaks the symmetry of the gradually tapering 

 shafts, that are clothed in bark which does not indicate 

 that they had ever been furnished with branches ; and yet 

 they have borne branches from their base to their sum- 

 mit, and nature has so neatly removed them that we can- 

 not detect the marks of her pruning-saw. How this has 

 been effected, may be seen in any dense thicket of young 

 forest growth. It is simply a smothering of the lower 

 branches by those next above them, which has destroyed 

 their vitality, and their decay has soon followed ; while a 

 new growth of branches at a higher point, in turn, per- 

 forms the same office of destruction upon those next below 

 them. As there is no outlet for the wood-growth but in 

 an upward direction, upwards they must needs go, and 

 as there is no light nor air for lateral branches under such 

 a canopy of shade, death and decay ensue, and down they 

 perforce must come. 



If it be asked why we prune at all, it may be answered 

 in general terms that in the orchard, our objects in per- 

 forming this operation, are two-fold. 



1st We prune for shape and comeliness, and for the 

 removal of dead and dying branches, in aid of nature, but 

 working in sympathy with her. 



2d We prune for the sake of inducing fruitfulness. 



Let us consider some of the principles that are to guide 

 us in these operations. 



The first object, that of producing the desired shape of 

 the future tree, is chiefly done upon the young subject, 



