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When using the secateurs a clean and neat cut is given by 

 seeing that the blade, and not the prong, faces the part of the wood 

 which is left on the plant. As strong branches as can well be inserted 

 between the blade and the prong can with little effort be snipped by 

 gently pushing the top part of the branch or rod it is intended to cut 

 away from the operator and against the prong side of the secateur. 



The pruning knife previously illustrated in the chapter on 

 grafting, if kept sharp, will, in the hands of an experienced pruner, 

 do very good work, and makes a very clean cut, which soon heals 

 over. The blade should be strongly made, of the best steel, and 

 with a beak curved at a sharp angle. A rough buckhorn handle 

 will ensure a good grasp in the hand while in use; the blade, well 

 ground, will be found useful for trimming and paring the wound, 

 and giving it a smooth face after sawing. 



To the other tools and appliances described, the following two 

 will be found of great use when high trees have to be pruned and 

 handled : 



Branch Cutter, 



This long pruning shear, mounted on a light pole about the 

 size of a broom stick, six to eight feet long, is a very handy device 

 for reaching to the tops of the higher trees. It is found at the 

 leading ironmongers. 



Fruit Ladder. 



