64, I 



be avoided as much as possible. Pruning does not increase 

 the quantity of wood, for the operation has directly an oppo- | 

 site tendency and effect. Use the knife in a state of infancy, 

 and give the tree that form which is calculated to produce the 

 greatest quantity of timber in the proper place, and remove 

 only branches of that size which will heal over during the 

 summer. Trees properly thinned always produce the best, 

 cleanest, and soundest timber ; and as in men we look for 

 soundness of principle, so in timber we look for soundness of 

 wood. 



I have before said that I do not approve of any branches 

 being taken off, except those which can be taken away early 

 w^th the knife : the blemish produced by pruning large 

 branches is too great to be compensated by any advan- 

 tages. The gigantic whip handle given as a frontispiece to 

 Pontey's Forest Pruner has done, in my opinion, incal- 

 culable mischief. I have read observations relative to the com- 

 parative advantages of close pruning and snagging, and were 

 I compelled to adopt one, I should prefer the plan of close 

 pruning. But is pruning or lopping at all necessary, except 

 in a state of infancy, or in particular ornamental trees to please 

 the eye? If the increase of sound timber is sought after, 

 then I do think pruning more likely to defeat the object than 

 to attain it. It must always be remembered that there is a 

 reciprocity between the roots and branches. In whatever 

 proportion you lessen the head by lopping, &c., in like pro- 

 portion you lessen the power of increasing the bulk of the 

 stem, in destroying the balance of reciprocity. Foreshortening 

 a branch is the best mode to adopt, provided it is done at such 

 a distance from the stem that the branch is kept alive ; for, 

 if you cut so near as to endanger life, and it dies, you must 

 choose between the blemish of a close cut and a long snag. 

 The wounds produced by amputation may be concealed, but 

 cannot be healed, it being an axiom in physiology that should 



