Pruning Shrubs, Trees, Hedges, 

 and Vines 



How to Get the Results Desired, and 

 to Tell When to Prune 



IT is perhaps hardly necessary to mention the desira- 

 bility of "keeping up the place." Many persons, 

 however, fail to realize the important part which 

 the pruning shears play in preserving a neat, trim 

 appearance at all times. Neglected trees and shrubs 

 give a down-at-the heel effect, no matter how the walks, 

 lawn, and flower beds may be kept. 



Not only the general appearance, however, but the 

 amount and the kind of blooms on your various shrubs, 

 and the health and longevity of your trees, depend to 

 a large extent upon their receiving timely and intelli- 

 gent attention in this respect. 



Before giving suggestions as to the care of the different 

 classes of plants covered in this chapter, it will simplify 

 matters if we define in advance a few of the terms which 

 will be used. Long pruning and short pruinng refer 

 to the severity of the cutting. By "long pruning" is 

 meant that more wood is left on the plant than is cut 

 away, and by "short pruning," the opposite. From what 

 has already been said in connection with the general 

 principles of pruning and the pruning of roses, it is plain 

 that, other things being equal, long pruning will produce 

 a greater show of flowers, while short pruning produces 

 fewer flowers, but these of exceptional quality. 



Green or summer pruning and dry or dormant pruning 

 refer to the condition of the wood or the season in which 

 the pruning is done; the former indicating that the wood 

 is cut while in active growth in the spring or summer, 

 and the latter that the wood is cut when the sap is 

 inactive in late fall, winter or very early spring. Shearing 

 is the cutting back, usually not very heavy, to a uniform 

 smooth surface. It is as a rule done with shears made 

 especially for this purpose. 



