The Gentle Art of Pruning 



General Instructions 



IT is as simple to give a number of rules for pruning 

 as it is to give rules for other things, but the gardener 

 who does not know some things about the why as 

 well as the how of his work is never the progressive and 

 increasingly successful gardener. Almost any rules, 

 of course, are better than mere guess work; but rules 

 which are understood, so that they will not be followed 

 blindly in spite of conditions that should alter or suspend 

 them, are much better. 



Therefore, before attempting to formulate any rules 

 on pruning, let us stop a moment to look into the way 

 Dame Nature does the job; and examine how plants 

 develop, and why they need pruning, before we attempt 

 to interfere. 



Plants develop 

 through "buds." The 

 bud is formed, usually 

 rests for a while, and 

 then resumes growth 

 ajid develops into a 

 new twig, or branch, 

 which becomes part 

 of the permanent 

 structure of the plant; 

 or produces flowers, 

 followed by seeds or 

 fruits. 



What is a "bud?" 



Look at the draw- 

 ing FIG. 1, or better 

 still go out and cut a 

 branch or a sprouting 



twig from an apple tree, a shrub, a currant bush, or 

 any plant that is convenient. You will notice along the 

 sides, and at the tip, little swellings or pointed caps 

 which are decidedly different from the wood to which 

 they are attached. They will break or rub off 



.Dormant 

 Budtf 



FIG. 1. 

 Young branch or shoot from a tree, showing 

 the different kinds of buds. The strongest 

 buds are at and near the tip. 



