6 



PRACTICAL PART 



PT. I. 



dead stump is left to be enclosed by the annually 

 increasing stem, which is probably rotten before it is 

 enclosed. Besides, a chopping instrument is not adapted 

 to getting between branches to thin them out. These 

 saws wdll pass between branches which are too close 

 better even than the knife. One of these blades fixed 

 on a light rod is the best instrument to clear leaders 

 which cannot be reached with a knife or a hand-saw. 

 In this case, work the saw in a line with the stem of 

 the tree ; not across it. These saws may be bought 

 at Coleman's, cutler, Haymarket. 



The pruning ladder should be triangular ; that is, 

 to the Kentish fruit-ladder, wide at the base and 

 narrow at the top, should be added a single prop. 

 The lower end of the prop should diverge into two 

 branches, to receive a wheel like that of a wheel- 

 barrow. When lowered, the ladder is placed and 

 wheeled on this prop. When reared, the prop being 

 attached to the ladder by a rope, it is pulled towards 

 you by raising the ladder by one of its lower rounds. 

 If well made this ladder is perfectly wieldable, and 

 safe at the height of upwards of twenty feet. 



The ladder is easily detached from the prop, and 

 used singly, if required. It is the only safe ladder 

 against a tree. A common ladder must have four 

 bearings ; and if either of these should give way, the 

 ladder will turn over. A wide-based ladder needs 

 only three bearings ; that is, it is as safe from turning 

 over with one bearing above as with two. 



