Pruning. 247 
should be strong enough to sustain considerable pressure 
upon the handle. 
In using the pruning knife, the shoot to be cut off should 
generally be pressed with one hand toward the member that 
supports it and the blade should be inserted at the proxi- 
mal side. Care is necessary to prevent the blade from cut- 
ting too far. 
The pruning saw (Fig. 165) is useful for cutting off large 
limbs. Two toothed edges are preferable to one, as the 
second edge tends to prevent “pinching.” It is well to have 
the teeth on one edge point backward as this enables the 
saw to cut either when pushed or pulled. Sometimes the 
blade is curved like a sabre, with the teeth on the concave 
edge pointing backward. The blade should taper nearly 
to a point, to enable it to enter between 
>) crowded branches. 
77k 
. 
Fie. 164. Fie. 165. Fie. 166. Fie. 167. 
Fig. 164. Pruning knife. Fig. 165. Pruning saw. 
Fig. 166. Pruning shears. Fig. 167. Hedge shears, (much reduced). 
The pruning shears (Fig. 166) may be used for the same 
purpose as the pruning knife, but as it cuts less smoothly, 
