268 



Principles of Plant Culture. 



sometimes removed two or three weeks before the time 

 when hard frosts are expected, to encourage ripening of 

 the wood. 



The later tobacco plants in a plantation are usually 

 topped at the time the main crop is pushing the flower 

 stalk, which causes their leaves to mature in season to 

 be harvested with the rest of the crop. 



h— Pruning to retard maturity, see (158). 



431. The Principal Pruning Implements are the fol- 

 lowing : 



The pruning knife (Fig. 164) is useful for removing 



small woody shoots. The blade should be of good steel, 



and the point should curve forward 



a little, to prevent the edge from 



Fig. 164. Fig. 165. Fig. 166. Fig. 167 



Fig. 164. Pruning knife. Fig. 165. Pruning saw. 



Fig. 166. Pruning shears. Fig. 167. Hedge shears (much reduced). 



slipping off the branch. The handle should be large to 

 avoid blistering the hand, the base of the blade should 



