68 



PRACTICAL FOEESTRY. 



well aware that there are men who object to pruning 

 transplanted trees^ because they imagine in their igno- 

 rance of the general principles of vegetable physioloo-y, 

 that the larger the number of buds and leaves^ the greater 

 the capacity of the tree to assimilate sap, which would 

 in a measure be true, provided the roots were in a condi- 

 tion to supply the crude article in unlimited quantities, 

 but as they are not at such time, it is absurd to think 

 that the leaves are to be sustained by what they cannot 

 possibly obtain. 



AYhile the trees are in nursery rows, they will require 

 pruning in order to give them the proper shape when 

 wanted for permanent plantations. It is not necessary to 

 prune severely, but Just enough to give the grovv'th the 

 proper direction. If intended for timber trees, then a 

 tall straight stem is required, and when there is more 

 than one leading shoot, they should be cut away. The 

 lower branches may be removed from time to time, always 

 leaving enough to form a good head to the tree, and in 

 cutting off branches, they should be severed close, leav- 

 ing no rough stump to decay, or to throw out sprouts. 

 If the young trees are properly pruned in the nursery, 

 there will be no necessity of removing large branches 

 when they become old. Some species will require but 

 little pruning, while others demand considerable, else 

 they make slow progress in the way of making handsome 

 shapely specimens. Pruning should not be practised 

 to such an extent that the tree is weakened by the ojoera- 

 tion, but it should never be neglected when anything can 

 be gained in promoting the growth of any part of the 

 tree, or in any direction that will tend to increase its 

 value, or fit it for the purpose for which it is raised. By 

 cutting off a portion of the lower branches, we allow 

 more sap to flow past, and into those higher up on the 

 stem, and we repeat the operation annually, or -as often 

 as necessary to encourage an upward growth if tall trees 



