PRUNING PRINCIPLES 83 



to approach a new variety or species with more confidence 

 than if he have nothing but mere rule of thumb to guide 



PRINCIPLES STATED AND DISCUSSED 



78. J. In fruit production and in ornamental horticulture, 

 pruning is of secondary importance to constant good man- 

 agement of the plants; in forestry it is an incidental in tree 

 grozving. 



This rule is axiomatic , for no amount of pruning will 

 make for the thrift of the plants where neglect and abuse 

 run riot. Furthermore, the man who neglects or abuses his 

 trees is not the one who will prune, except as some branch 

 happens to inconvenience him. Even then his pruning is 

 m(jre likely to deserve the name of tree butchery (Fig. 

 61) than pruning. 



79. 2. A definite ideal, familarity zi'ith the basic prin- 

 ciples, and a careful consideration of environment are es- 

 sential to best pruning practice. 



This principle is also axiomatic, for unless the pruner 

 know what he is aiming at he cannot hit the mark ; unless 

 he apply the right principles he may work to the injury or 

 the inferiority of the plant; and unless he study the environ- 

 ment he cannot apply what principles he may know as in- 

 telligently as he otherwise might. 



80. J. Climate and locality markedly influence both the 

 necessity and the effects of pruning. Methods that succeed 

 under one set of local conditions must be modified or az'oided 

 ■under others. 



Plants show considerable differences of development in 

 different parts of the country, even in the same state, as 

 noted below. Then, too, local influence must be considered. 

 In regions where the winters are mild, say from Xew 

 Jersey to Ohio and southward, wounds may in no wise injure 

 the trees pruned in winter ; whereas where the winters are 



