148 



THE PRUNING OF PLANTS 



can easily be seen. In addition to these facts the tree is in a 

 period of rest and the removal of a limb, by pruning, is no 

 injury to the plant. Certain plants, like the grapes and maple 

 trees, bleed profusely if not pruned while they are dormant. 



Fig. 67. — The proper way to cut off 

 a large limb. Note how the wounds 

 are healing. 



Fig. 68. 



—A large wound entirely 

 healed over. 



Pruning Old Trees. — The object in pruning an old tree is 

 merely to keep the branches thinned out, to remove any 

 water sprouts that may occur and to take out all limbs that 

 are interfering with each other. If the tree has been system- 

 atically pruned during its early growth \-ery little pruning will 

 be necessary as the tree gets older. Occasionally large limbs 

 must be cut off for \arious causes. ^Yhen this operation is 

 made necessary, care must be taken to make clean, smooth 



