PRL'XIXG 



SKCATKUKS. OK PRfXIXi; SHKAKS. 



which become stunted or "sick." Pruning nviy also be resorted 

 to in order to rid plants of certain fungus diseases or insect pests. 



In Ceylon, the pruning of fruit trees is seldom practised, with 



the exception of the Grape-wine in the Northern Province and, to 



a small extent, European fruit- 

 trees in the hill districts. 

 Although the absence of a res- 

 ting period in the tropics affects 

 the question of pruning, there 

 can be no doubt that some 

 modified form of it to suit local 



circumstances should be adopted in order to maintain the trees in 



a productive condition, and to obtain the best quality of crop. In 



India a similar effect to that of pruning is 



sometimes produced by the crude practice 



of either stripping oft the leaves, or sub- 

 jecting the trees to a "good thrashing," 



as is done in the case of unfruitful Mango 



trees. The latter operation is effected by 



means of a long pliable bamboo, and 



although too crude to be recommended, 



yet its effect in retarding exuberant 



growth, and so tending to fruitfulness, is 



said to be sometimes conspicuous. 



Pruning of Shade or Flowering trees. 



The object in regard to the pruning 

 of these should be to obtain a form 

 which, while developing the natural beauty 

 of the tree, will tend to prolong its life 

 and usefulness. The longest lived trees 

 are those with a straight, erect and un- 

 divided trunk ; therefore the production 

 of such a form should be encouraged 

 when the tree is young, by shortening 

 back shoots or branches which rival the 

 leader, and so direct the vigour of the tree 

 to the centre. 



General Principles of Pruning. The 



following principles are of general 

 application, whether for large or small 



TKKK-PKl NKK. 



