120 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



111. ig. Large zvoiuids heal according to conditions, most 

 important of "vhicli arc the kind and the vigor of the plant, 

 the Icngtli and position of the stubs, the smoothness or 

 the roughness of the cut surfaces, the health of the zuood 

 and the time of year "vhcii made. 



This principle needs elucidation in a chapter by itself 

 (Chapter \'I). Yet a few words may be here used to ad- 

 vantage in summarizing the discussion. From the stand- 

 point of healing alone, large wounds heal most readily when 

 made just before the growing season opens because the ex- 

 posed tissues have but a brief time to dry out, and the cam- 

 bium cells, very soon after the wounding, become active. 

 However, the vigorous or feeble condition and the species 

 and perhaps the variety of the tree, the character and posi- 

 tion of the wound and the influence of many other local 

 factors may afTect the healing to a greater or lesser extent 

 either favorably or unfavorablv. 



112. 20. IVound dressings, zehich do not injure the grow- 

 ing tissues, which are aiitisef^fic and duralde. and zvhich thus 

 g)ve physical protection, may prevent or check the entrance 

 of decay, but they do not hasten healinc/. 



This principle receives separate discussion. (Chapter 



