248 Principles of Plant Culture. 
and less closely to the supporting member, it is not so de- 
sirable for general pruning as the pruning knife. It is. how- 
ever, excellent for cutting cions (386), and making cuttings 
(358). The form shown in the figure is perhaps 
the best one extant. 
The hedge shears (Fig. 167) is especially useful 
for pruning hedges. 
The lever shears 
(Fig. 168) is useful 
for cutting off 
sprouts about the 
base of trees. 
The pole shears 
(Fig. 169) is useful 
for cutting back 
the shoots of trees, 
and for removing 
sap sprouts (224) 
from the branches 
of tall fruit trees, ‘ 
though for this pur- Fic. 168. Fic. 169. Fig. 170. 
ig. 168. Lever shears, (1auch reduced). 
pose, ithasthefault Fig.169. Pole shears. The wire connects with 
of the pruning ae ie eae Tee The handle should be 
-ghears in not cut- about three feet long. 
ting sufficiently close to the branch. It should not be used 
for shoots much exceeding one-half inch in diameter. 
The raspberry hook (Fig. 170) is used for cutting off the 
dead fruiting canes of the raspberry and blackberry. The 
cutting part is made of a rod of good steel, five-sixteenths 
inch in diameter, flattened and curved as shown, with a 
moderately thin edge on the concave side of the curve. 
U 
