Different Systems of pruning* 331 



2. To remove all the branches and shoots that grow toward the 

 tree, or toward the other branches. 



3. To reduce the number of shoots, leaving only one to each 

 bud. 



When the coffee-tree has not been pruned for some time, Mr. 

 Sabonadiere recommends that the primary branches nearest the ground 

 be cut off, supporting his advice with these reasons: 



1. They cause much humidity and shade, and prevent the free 

 circulation of the air. 



2. They rarely bear fruit, because of their superabundant leafage, 

 and draw the nutritive sap from the tree unprofitably. 



3. They interefere with the labors of cultivation, owing to their 

 nearness to the ground, and they are injured by the laborers. 



4. They cover the weeds and young coffee plants and serve as a 

 hotbed for them. 



No branch should be allowed to bear more than two, or at most 

 three crops ; when it has given these it should be removed, so that a 

 new one may replace it which will bear fruit. 



System of a Practical Cultivator of Ceylon. This writer recommends 

 that all the branches that are less than six inches from the trunk be 

 cut off; that a vacant space of a foot in circumference be left around 

 the trunk of the plant to permit a free circulation of light and air; and 

 that one of every two secondary branches growing together be pruned, 

 one on each side alternately of the primaries being left. 



All the secondary branches that grow very near the trunk tend to 

 debilitate the primaries, and the same is the case when they are allowed 

 to grow in pairs. 



Some set the rule that a primary branch should never be pruned ; 

 but this rule has its exceptions, as, for instance, when the branch splits 

 or dies, or when it grows to such a length as to become intertwined 

 with those of the neighboring trees. In this last case a part only of the 

 branch should be pruned. 



Some think also that when the primaries near the ground have 

 grown to a great length and have become tangled they should be cut 

 off up to the first good secondary branch, in order that this may re- 

 ceive all the sap that would otherwise go to nourish the branches that 

 have been pruned. 



System of the "Observer" of Colombo. The natural consequences 

 of the rules set forth, when speaking of the principles of pruning, which 

 are in accordance with a notable article published in the Observer of 

 Colombo, for June 17, 1861, are the following: 



Being two different systems, they have some points in common. 



All the secondary branches which are at a distance of less than 

 nine or, ten inches from the trunk of the tree, are to be removed. This 



