SECTION IV. 



413 



and thereby promoting elongation of stem. If we inquire how she 

 produces the toughest and most durable wood, it will be seen that it is 

 by exposure to a colder atmosphere than that in which such elongation 

 of stem is generated. Let us, therefore, 'prune early, and thin gradually 

 and frequently, after having first planted much more closely for profit- 

 able than for ornamental purposes. Yet there is a closeness of colloca- 

 tion, if I may so speak, in natural woods — that is, in woods raised for- 

 tuitously from the seed — which the planter, for obvious reasons, will not 

 venture to imitate. 



With these objects in view, it is pleasing to observe that the judicious 

 system of " cutting in " is now adopted by many pruners of acknow- 

 ledged reputation. This consists, when we displace side-branches, in 

 cutting away at first a third part, or more, at the extremity, and 

 retaining two-thirds, or even less — but we must defer the removal of the 

 entire bough till the following, or even another season. Thus it is 

 found, on the simplest principles of vegetable physiology, that the 

 power of increasing in size, which the bough possessed, will by this 

 process be sensibly diminished ; so that after a year or two, it may be 

 entirely removed, with the least possible risk of injury to the quality of the 

 wood. In the same way, if a terminal bud be removed, whether by 

 intention or accident, a similar result will follow, although naturally in 

 a lesser degree. According to this principle, which I have of late 

 years adopted, I can show entire young plantations at this place which 

 have been very rapidly and successfully pruned, and their progressive 

 vigour wonderfully increased, by the removal of terminal shoots, and 

 terminal buds only, as circumstances required ; aud the most effectual 

 assistance has thus been given to nature, in the production of sound 

 wood. 



Whoever was the author of this system of pruning, which I have 

 ventured to name the Terminal, is entitled to praise ; and I am 

 inclined to think that, if it ever have been known in horticulture, it 

 has not been applied to woods till of late years, and even now, that it is 

 not commonly so applied. The Encyclopaedias of Gardening and 

 Agriculture, in which every thing useful and scientific is generally to 

 be found, but very obscurely allude to such an operation. 



There is a meritorious nurseryman in this kingdom to whom I was, 

 some time since, indebted for the knovrledge of this system, and who 

 has practised it, as he states to me, for nearly thirty years, without hav- 

 ing borrowed it from any one. It was first suggested to him, as it 

 appears, by his own reflection, and has since been confirmed by con- 

 siderable experience and most uniform success. He was surprised 

 when I informed him that the principle was known and acted on, in 



