EFFECT OF PEUNIN(J. 



\ 



Fig. liXVII. 



removed, of course a large proportion of the sap that has heeir 

 accumulating during the wiater will be thrown away, and b to 

 c will retain no more of it than the exact pro- 

 portion which that part bears to the part 

 abstracted. When, however, early or autumnal 

 pruniag is employed, a to c d and e are 

 removed before the sap has accumulated ia 

 them, and then all which the roots are capable 

 of collecting during the period of repose 

 will be deposited in the space from 6 to a ; 

 consequently branches from that part wiU 

 necessarily push with excessive vigour. As, 

 however, pruning is by no means intended 

 at all times to increase the vigour of a 

 plant, late or spring pruning, if not deferred 

 tni the sap is in rapid motion, may be more 

 judicious. 



With regard to pruning plants when transplanted, there can 

 be no doubt that it is more frequently injurious than beneficial. 

 It is supposed, or seems to be, that when the branches of a 

 tfljansplanted tree are headed back, the remaining buds will 

 break with more force than if the pruning had not been 

 performed; but it is to be remembered that a transplanted 

 tree is not in the state supposed in the case put above, 

 Mg. LXVII. Its roots are not fully in action, . and from the 

 mjuries sustained in removing, they are capable of exercising 

 but little influence on the branches. The great point to attain, 

 in the first instance, is the renovation of the roots, and that 

 wiU happen only in proportion to the healthy action of the 

 leaves and buds: if, therefore, the branches of a plant are 

 removed by the pruning-knife, a great obstacle is opposed to 

 this renovation ; but, if they remain, new roots wUl be formed 

 in proportion to the healthy action of the leaves. The danger 

 to be feared is, that the perspiration of the leaves may be so 

 great as to exhaust the system of its fluid contents faster than 

 the roots can restore them, and in careless transplanting this 

 may doubtless happen : in such cases it is certainly requisite 

 that some part of the branches should be pruned away ; but no 



