This seems at first something of a paradox, but the 

 reason is plain when you stop to think about it. I have 

 already spoken about the balance between root action 

 and tops that must be maintained. If plants of vig- 

 orous root action are pruned too severely they either die, 

 are seriously injured, or make so much and so rapid new 

 growth that it is watery and abnormal in character, and 

 unsuited to the gardener's purpose. In other words, 

 there is a line beyond which no plant can safely be 

 pruned ; and this line is reached more quickly in the case 

 of the plant of vigorous root action than in that of a 

 weaker root action. Hence, the rule just laid down — 

 prune strong growing plants less severely than weak 

 growing ones. 



It should be kept in mind, however, that this applies 

 to plants in good health. Where the root action has been 

 temporarily checked by disease, unfavorable conditions, 

 or transplanting, severe pruning may often be resorted 

 to with advantage. 



2. Pruning to Get a Special Form of Growth. — 

 Nature has her own habit of growth or "plant form" 

 for every species and every variety that grows. Fre- 

 quently, however, it suits the gardener's purpose to 

 modify or entirely change this natural habit. In the 

 case of fruit trees, he does it largely in order that they 

 may be more easily cared for. In the case of hedge 

 plants and many ornamentals, he does it to keep them 

 within certain predetermined limits, or to get formal 

 effects. Whatever his reason may be, there are certain 

 things he must keep in mind to attain his ends. The 

 first is that every plant, no matter how severely or often 

 pruned, tends to resume quickly its natural form. The 

 gardener should, therefore, plan to keep as near this as 

 he can while still carrying out his own object. The second 

 is that by removing the upper buds, or bud, the lower 

 buds or growth will be stimulated ; but that one or more 

 of them will immediately make the effort to take the 

 place of that which has been removed. If the top of a 

 young tree is cut off, for instance, a new "leader" imme- 

 diately makes the effort to take the place of it. This is 

 important in the pruning of hedge plants and speci- 

 mens, where a thick growth is wanted clear to the 



