PRUNING. 



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The general principles of pruning are consisely ex 

 pressed by M. Dubreuil, as follows : 



1. The vigor of a tree subjected to pruning, depends 

 in a great measure on the equal distribution of sap in all 

 its branches. That this equal distribution may take place — 



Prune the hranches of the most vigorous parts very short, 

 and those of the weak parts hng. The feeble parts being 

 pruned long, present a great number of buds and a large 

 surface of leaves, which attract the sap, and produce vigor- 

 ous growth ; while the vigorous parts being pruned short 

 and the surface of leaves diminished, growth in those parts 

 is also diminished. 



Leave a large quantity of fruit on the strong part and 

 f\emove the whole or the greater part from the feeble. 

 All the sap which arrives in the strong part will be 

 yaJ)propriated by the fruit, and the wood there will make 

 / Jittle growth, while the feeble parts being deprived of 

 fruit, the sap will be appropriated by the growing parts 

 and they will increase in size and strength. 

 \ Bend the strong parts and keep the weak erect. The 

 more erect the branches are the greater will be the flow 

 of sap and consequent growth ; hence, the balance may 

 be restored by bending down those disposed to make too 

 much growth. 



Remove from the vigorous parts the superfluous shoots 

 as early in the season as ^possible, and from the feeble 

 parts as late as possible. The fewer the young shoots are 

 in number the fewer the leaves, and the less the sap is at- 

 tracted there ; but leaving these standing on the feebll3 parts, 

 these leaves attract the sap and induce vigorous growth. 

 Pinch early the soft extremities of the shoots on the 

 vigorous parts, and as late as possible on the feeble parts, 

 excepting always any shoots which may be too vigorous 

 for their position. By this practice the flow of sap to that 



