OF PRUXOG TREES. 109 



shoots would issue, much in the same manner as 

 they do from the cut part of those trees which have 

 been over-pruned. 



It is now a well-ascertained truth among all prac- 

 tical foresters, that when a young tree is in a 

 vigorous state of growth, and the wood full of sap, 

 previous to its having made any hard wood, any 

 branch may be taken off without doing the least 

 injury to it ; therefore, it is just at this stage of 

 the existence of a tree, that it can with certainty 

 be made to do well or otherwise, according as it 

 may be attended to, to give the top the lead in 

 the growth, to check the stronger branches, and to 

 give the tree that shape it may be intended it should 

 have when it attains full age. 



When young hard-wood trees have been pruned 

 in the manner above recommended, and after they 

 have been planted and grown in their perma- 

 nent situation for the space of five or six years, 

 they will by that time have got themselves pro- 

 perly established in the ground ; which circum- 

 stance is known by their putting forth consider- 

 able shoots of young wood. At this stage of their 

 growth, it will be necessary to go over them all 

 with the pruning-knife, and cut close to the main 

 stem or trunk all the parts of the branches that 

 were formerly shortened, and, at the same time, 

 to take off clean with the knife all other branches 

 that may have gained strength, or may have the 



