Pruning. 239 
In pruning for symmetry, the plant should generally be 
encouraged to develop the form that is natural to the par- 
ticular species or variety; e. g., the American elm* tree, 
which naturally develops an open, somewhat spreading head 
that tends to be broadest toward the top, should not be 
pruned to the same form as the sugar maple + that develops 
a more roundish and compact head. Evergreens are some- 
times pruned to ideal forms, as in topiary work, a practice 
that is generally condemned by good taste. 
421. Pruning for Picturesqueness is seldom em- 
ployed. It requires a thorough knowledge of pruning and 
of plant growth, combined with the conceptions of the artist. 
422. Pruning for Stockiness aims to develop a low 
head with abundant branching, and a strong trunk. It is 
best accomplished by 
pinching (416a) the up- 
permost growing points 
during the growth per- 
iod, and encouraging 
low branching on the 
stem. If a spreading 
form is desired, the 
lower branches should 
be pruned to outside 
buds (Fig. 155). 
Pruning for stocki- 
ness is habitually prac- 
Fic. 157, Raspberry cane rendered stocky by ticed in the raspberry 
pruning. (Figs. 157 and 158) and 
blackberry, in hedges and in many ornamental plants. It 
tends to the production of flower-buds, by checking growth 
of wood (137). 
* Ulmus Americana. + Acer saccharinum. 
