THE JOYOUS ART OF GARDENING 



The Spring Pruning 



But there is pruning, and plenty of it, that can be done 



in early spring. First, have good tools : a pair of sharp pruning- 



shears, a thin httle pruning-saw, and some 



paint or grafting-wax or tar to cover the 



larger cuts. The cut should always be made 



just above an "eye," or bud. The last 



"eye" left should be an outside one. The 



reason for this is that a plant always sends 



out a branch from the last "eye," and it 



should be encouraged to branch out, not in, 



keeping the branches outside, where they 



can have light and air. Any branches 



broken during the winter should be cut smoothly close down 



to the next outward branch. 



When removing a branch cut closely (see illustration). 

 Never leave a "stub"; this causes decay and affords an at- 

 tractive lodging-place for insects. Any cut larger than half 

 an inch should be painted or tarred over. When you are not 

 sure how to prune a plant leave it alone. The 

 plant will fare far better. 



Shrubs of Drooping Habit. — Such shrubs as 

 Deutzia gracilis, Spirwa van Houttei, Forsythia 

 suspensa, should be pruned as in the illustra- 

 tion. All upright shoots which detract from 

 the character of the plant should be cut off. 

 The dark Unes show branches to be retained. 



Newly Planted Shrubs and Trees. — Irrespec- 

 tive of their seasons of bloom, these always 

 benefit from being cut back one-third or one-half of last year's 

 growth. Transplanting inevitably reduces the roots, and, 



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The dark lines 

 show branches 

 to be retained 



