PRUNING TOOLS 141 



but if the wound is not in line with this channel in which the 

 sap flows it will not be healed. Since the only way that the 

 sap is kept flowing in this channel is by the presence of leaves 

 on the trees, it is at once apparent that if a limb is cut off, 

 the leaves are remo\-ed and consequently the sap does not 

 pass out into any part of the stub that remains. When a 

 stub is allowed to remian no healing can take place and in a 

 short time disease will enter the tree and flnally cause its 

 death. 



Time to Prune. — The time for pruning varies over a con- 

 siderable period and with different plants, and we recog- 

 nize winter and summer pruning. With most horticulturists 

 pruning is done during the late winter and early spring 

 months. As a rule, pruning late in the spring, just before 

 growth begins, is the ideal time for most plants. Late 

 pruning of this kind serves to remove all winter-killed 

 branches with no chance of more to occur. It also has the 

 advantage of starting the healing process at once and the 

 wound is exposed for a much shorter time. 



Protection of Wounds. — All wounded surfaces should be 

 covered with some protective material in order to prevent 

 diseases from gaining an entrance. No artificial material 

 will aid in healing of any wound, but it prevents water and 

 other foreign material from entering. 



Small wounds not to exceed one-half to three-quarters of 

 an inch will usually heal over in one year and no covering is 

 necessary. Larger wounds, however, should be protected. 

 White lead paint, which is of the consistency of thick cream, 

 is perhaps the best material to use for wound dressing. 

 Occasionally tar products and grafting waxes are used. 



Pruning Tools. — Special pruning tools are necessary if 

 good pruning is to be done. In selecting any tool, see 

 that it is made of the best material and capable of keeping 

 a good cutting edge. Every cut must be made clean and 

 smooth, which can only be done by the best pruning tools. 



The pruning saw, the pruning knife, and the pruning 

 shears are all necessary for the different kinds of pruning. 

 In selecting a pruning saw, get one that has the saw teeth 

 only on one edge. The two-edge pruning saw is of no value 



