380 Of i the Cultivation of 



the part with a small auger or large gimlet; or by the converter, 

 when the saw is applied. But, if the branch or shoot be taken off 

 in its infant state, and when not more than an inch in diameter, 

 the injury will be less in proportion ; and, in fact, a small speck 

 only (which is but of trifling consequence) will appear in the 

 timber. 



If a purpose cannot be obtained without some sacrifice, it is wise 

 and prudent to adopt that plan which will cause the least : there- 

 fore, at the age of three or four years after planting, let a few of 

 the largest branches be cut off close, and also any that may have 

 become competitors of the leading shoot ; being careful, however, 

 not to remove too many in one season, but to leave a sufficiency 

 to keep the plant in vigour, and to carry it forward with strength 

 of stem in proportion to its height ; for, unless a sufficiency of 

 branches be left, this necessary end will not be obtained. This 

 process ought to be performed annually ; or, at most, every two 

 years, when the shoots to be removed will seldom exceed an inch 

 in diameter. The best time for this operation is in the spring, 

 before the flow of the sap commences. It will not unfrequently 

 happen that a strong shoot will present itself, which it may not 

 be prudent immediately to displace, as it would leave the plant 

 too naked in that part. In such case, have recourse to fore- 

 shortening, taking off a third or a half down to a leader. This 

 will check its luxuriance ; and it may so remain for a year or 

 two, when, the plant having formed more branches upward, it 

 may then be cut off close. Thus proceed by degrees, as the 

 tree gains height, until it reaches a point where, from soil and 

 situation, it ceases to advance : pruning is then no longer neces- 

 sary ; the head will form, and the tree will go on enlarging in 

 girth so long as health and vigour continue. 



In the foreshortening method of pruning, nature is partly left 

 to do her own work ; as the supporters of this system take it for 

 granted that, when a branch is retrenched, it will gradually 

 decline in vigour, and at last die and fall off, without any assist- 

 ance of ours : but we are not yet told at what period we may 

 expect this to take place. Until this is done, we proceed upon 

 uncertain data ; and, so long as the branch so foreshortened 

 continues, so long must the defect of the presence of a knot 

 remain ; and, even at last, when decay takes place, some years 

 may elapse before the remains fall off close to the stem ; and 

 even then the part has to be healed over, and a portion of 

 decayed wood will still be left within the bole. The exclusion of 

 light and air, by close planting, will do much to facilitate the end 

 proposed by this plan ; but, to maintain the plant in a proper 

 state, it must have space sufficient, so as not to be forced up too 

 hastily. 



There are, however, many cases where foreshortening may be 



