OF PRUNING TREES. 113 



lie is very apt to go wrong in a case of impor- 

 tance. He looks upon the trees before him, and 

 he is, no doubt, aware that pruning is necessary 

 to their health ; but, in consequence of some 

 particular circumstance connected with the trees 

 with which he has to deal, he finds much difficulty 

 in making up his mind as to the manner in which 

 he ought to proceed. If he should be a man who 

 has had extensive practice, he will look back upon 

 his former experience, and consider where and 

 when he had to deal with a case resembling the 

 one that may be before him : if he has, he will 

 review the manner in which he went to work in 

 it ; and, at the same time, he will consider the con- 

 sequences that attended such operations, whether 

 these were beneficial or not; and, in all cases, he 

 will endeavour to govern his conduct in pruning 

 operations by the result of his past experience 

 Whatever method of operations he has known to 

 succeed well, he will put again in practice, according 

 as the nature of the case may require ; and what- 

 ever method he has found to have been followed 

 by injurious effects, he will avoid putting again into 

 practice except in particular cases, where he is aware 

 it would answer the end desired. 



With regard to the pruning of forest trees 

 generally, all would be simple and well, provided 

 a distinct practical rule were attended to, both by 

 proprietors and foresters, for the rearing up of 



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