(27) 



worse afterward. If a Soft Maple, as some of them 

 will do, breaks bodily, and continues to do so, it is bet- 

 ter to remove it and plant another in its place. Severe 

 pruning lowers the vitality of any ordinary tree, mak- 

 ing it less able to bear the drouth and heat of summer 

 and the cold of winter, and leaving it an easy prey to 

 borers and other noxious insects. 



As a strong man is able to resist disease, so a 

 vigorous tree is able to resist the attacks of its ene- 

 mies, while a feeble one succumbs. 



So far as possible all limbs should be removed 

 while small. It is rarely necessary to cut a large limb 

 from a tree that has been properly cared for. 



¥lie Yiirie foi' f^i^uiiing ©ediduou^ Yi'ee^. 



On this question there is much difference of opin- 

 ion among tree-growers. Some contend that late 

 autumn is the best time; others, that it should be done 

 while the tree is in its most vigorous growth, say in 

 May or June; others again, in the early part of the 

 growing season, when the young leaf stems first show 

 themselves. I think the last is the most favorable 

 time, for then we have almost the entire summer's 

 growth to heal over the wound. All agree that the 

 worst possible time is in early spring, just when peo- 

 ple usually prune. If pruning is done at this time, as 

 soon as the sap begins to flow, it exudes from the 

 wounds, weakens the tree, and is apt to cause the wood 

 to decay. Trees recently transplanted are an excep- 

 tion, they do not suffer in this way, and for special 

 reasons, usually require more or less pruning when 

 set out. The wound left after removing a large limb 

 is best treated by a mud plaster, bound on with cloth. 

 Wax, which is often recommended, becomes heated 



