WINTER PRUNING 147 



shortened or entirely removed. If any roots are killed the 

 dead portions should be cut away until the living part is 

 reached. The pruning should be done with a sharp knife. 

 A slanting cut should be made and in such a way that the 

 cut surface will be on the underside of the root, '\^^en the 

 tree is placed in position the cut surfaces should come in con- 

 tact with the soil either at the sides or the bottom of the hole. 



Summer Pruning. — The pruning of certain plants in the 

 summer is important from several stand-points. This is 

 particularly true of young trees. The energy of a young 

 plant should be directed toward the development of a stout 

 trunk and framework. If an exceptionally good tree is to be 

 formed, careful attention should be given to the pinching off 

 of the undesirable branches, while they are small, and before 

 they have used up very much of the plant food, which should 

 go to other parts of the tree. During the early growth these 

 branches are easily removed and can usually be brushed off 

 very satisfactorily with the hands. 



Summer pruning is not only of value to the small trees but 

 is practised to some extent on the larger trees. Under some 

 conditions a tree will refuse to set fruit buds, and throw all 

 its energy into the production of wood. A tree of this kind, if 

 properly handled, can be made to produce fruit by summer 

 pruning. To secure the desired results the pruning should 

 usually be done before the season of growth ends, because 

 earlier pruning starts new growth while late pruning gives 

 no results. In summer pruning a part of the surplus wood is 

 cut out and other branches headed back. This check in the 

 growth of the plant at this time has a tendency to make 

 fruit buds form. The benefit derived from summer pruning 

 depends upon the ability of the pruner to regulate the pruning 

 in such a way as to bring about early maturity. 



Winter Pnming. — The pruning of plants during the dormant 

 period is usually spoken of as winter pruning. The dormant 

 season is the time the majority of pruning is done, par- 

 ticularly of all of the woody plants. The winter is a good time 

 to perform this operation for several reasons: The branches 

 are not covered with leaves and are easier to remove. The 

 framework of the tree is visible and the undesirable parts 



