PRUNING. 



be taken for granted that the tree has sustained con- 

 siderable damage from some of them not having 

 been removed sooner ; and when we have to do with 

 a large plantation, if we wait till the most backward 

 of the trees stand in need of pruning, we may assure 

 ourselves that the more forward ones have suffered 

 severely from the want of it. 



As pruning ought to be early begun, so it ought 

 to be frequently repeated. Once every two years 

 will be as seldom as is consistent with the mode of 

 performing it here recommended. In the common 

 way of executing it, indeed, there is no occasion for 

 so fi'equent repetition, as the trees get such a tho- 

 rough trimming at once, that they do not soon for- 

 get the infliction. 



Pruning should be persevered in so long as a tree 

 is in a growing state, but no advantage at all can 

 arise from continuing it beyond this period. It is 

 no uncommon thing to see a system of lopping and 

 mutilation commenced on trees which have attained 

 their full size, and remained stationary for years, 

 with the preposterous design of compelling nature 

 to resume her operations for promoting growth, after 

 she has finally laid them aside. The eflPect intend- 

 ed is, of course, never produced ; and the disfigur- 

 ing of the tree is all that is gained by the experi- 



