PRUNING. 223 



rally grow closely together; of course their lower 

 branches, being deprived of air and light, quickly 

 perish ; but when by accident they stand singly, the 

 lower branches are as pe/manent as those of the top, 

 and even more so, and moreover appear to be as 

 necessary a part of the system. When, however, 

 trees are taken under the care of man they are sub- 

 jected to controul, and are trained to answer the 

 purposes for which they are cultivated, whether that 

 be for the timber they supply, the shelter and orna- 

 ment they afford, or for the fruit or flowers which 

 they yield. For these different objects trees undergo 

 various manipulations of the pruner, and which may 

 be separately considered. 



Forest-tree Pruning. Forest trees are regarded 

 either as objects of ornament or of profit; sometimes 

 used as screens, for shelter, or for fences. Ornamental 

 trees require no assistance from the pruner. Natural 

 forms cannot be improved by art or by the most 

 refined taste. It is only in woodlands, raised and 

 maintained as sources of profit or income, that the 

 skill and exertions of the forest pruner are available. 

 Here the special object is to obtain the greatest 

 quantity of marketable timber. With this view he 

 endeavours to prune his trees so as to form stately, 

 straight, and clean-grained boles, standing as closely 

 together as will allow every tree a sufficient share of 

 air and light. This disposition as to interdistances, 

 and the desired form of bole, can only be obtained by 

 giving attention to the trees in the early stages of 



