Pruning for Form 107 
in the vicinity should be removed. Very old trees should 
be treated in the manner recommended for those of the 
third class, although requiring greater care and judgment 
in their management. 
In the following brief instructions as to procedure in prun- 
ing a tree to form, we also follow the advice of Des Cars. 
First select a vigorous leader, if no natural one exists, 
i.e., a branch which is to become (or remain) the main axis; 
any almost vertical branch near the top may be taken. The 
original leader may be discarded if not desirable, and a lat- 
eral branch substituted, which will soon straighten up, if 
the growth of the new leader is stimulated in this (as shown 
before) by tying it into upright 
position with withes attached 
to the base of the original leader 
or of some other branch. If Fie 39 — Combined prunmg 
there is no serviceable leader to saw and chisel 
be found, two or three or more branches should be pre- 
served to form a compact head. A forking leader is rather 
to be discouraged, but the forking of branchlets at their 
ends is to be encouraged by removing all branchlets which 
assume a vertical growth, for these forks give to the tree a 
more natural appearance, and by dividing the flow of sap 
prevent the growth of too vigorous shoots, which might in 
time develop into supplementary leaders to the injury to 
the tree. Altogether, the development of the unnaturally 
strong growth of any individual branch, especially at the 
expense of the leader and in an undesirable direction 
(drooping or recurved), is to be checked by shortening. 
The operation of pruning should begin at the top of the 
tree, both for the sake of the safety of the operator and the , 
better opportunity of controlling the shape. After estab- 
lishing the leader or leaders, the main branches are short- 
