PRUNING. 



159 



I am aware that my sentiments on this head 

 differ from those of several writers of respectabi- 

 lity, and, particularly, from those of Mr Pontey. 

 " It is impossible not to smile," says that author, 



at the absurdity of writers, who either tell us not 

 to prune firs at all, or not to do so till the branches 

 show evident marks of decay ; as a little of that 

 much neglected article, experience, would teach 

 them, or any others, that if a branch were cut off 

 while alive, the sap-vessels would send out resinous 

 matter enough to seal up the wound, in a way infi- 

 nitely superior to human ingenuity. Nor need we 

 be afraid of wasting such sap by a too copious dis- 

 charge ; as, if the winter operations be discontinued 

 at least a month before the sap is stirring, and the 

 summer pruning do not commence till three months 

 after that circumstance takes place, there is no dan- 

 ger to be apprehended. For not only is the end of 

 the stump sealed up, but such sealing keeps it so 

 much alive, that the wood, which afterwards grows 

 over, always unites, either wholly or in part with it ; 

 so that, instead of defects, we have usually health 

 and soundness, but never, except in the case of very 

 large wounds, any thing of consequence enough to 

 merit the name of detriment." 



In the passage just quoted, Mr Pontey appeals 



