38 
PRUNING EXOTIC PLANTS, 
All exotics, we will assume, are, from some cause or other, which is easily 
detected in the particular cases, impelled to deviate from their natural symmetry 
of shape, to acquire an ugly elongation of their stems and shoots, a scantiness of 
foliage, and, in short, a rambling, straggling character, which renders them 
unsightly, an encumbrance, and at the same time infertile. Very few real excep- 
tions can, we are sure, be found to this rule ; and those are of a description of 
plants — such as trees which are crammed into large conservatories and stoves — 
which are really unfit for cultivation. Most herbaceous plants and tropical 
Endogens, — Palms and Bananas, for example, — ^may likewise be excepted. 
For sufFruticose plants, for shrubs of all kinds, whether tall or dwarf, and whether 
growing in pots or a conservatory border, and for a few herbaceous perennials, 
biennials, and even annuals, we would urgently advise the removal of the points of 
either weakly or luxuriant shoots while these are in a growing condition, to render 
the specimens compact, biishy, and prolific. There are, undoubtedly, some shrubs, 
among which Eododendrons may be mentioned, which do not require any such 
aid ; but these will be readily discriminated. 
Growers of Heaths have long been practical advocates of the plan we now wish 
to see extended ; and its benefits, in their instance, are indisputable. For the last 
two or three years, however, we have attentively scrutinized the splendid plants 
brought to the exhibitions of the Horticultural and other societies in the neighbour- 
hood of the metropolis ; we have occasionally visited the places in which they were 
reared, and inspected the collections of men who may properly be designated the 
best plant- cultivators in the world, and the conclusion we arrive at is that their 
extraordinary success results, to a large extent, from the practice of stopping the 
young shoots while growing. 
Under this impression, we will briefly advert to the philosophy of the method, 
the sort of plants in which its good effects have been most palpable to us, and the 
means of effectuating it, or securing its advantages. 
With regard to the first of these heads — the rationale of the practice — we do not 
desire to offer any lengthened observations. It is essential, however, that it be 
thoroughly comprehended, or the ignorant reception of the opinions of others, 
which we have so much deprecated and condemned, will only be perpetuated. 
Stopping the shoots of plants, then, while they are young and tender, is somewhat 
analogous to shortening the branches of Vines in the summer, though the two 
operations are intended to answer a rather dissimilar end, and are performed at 
different periods. The Vine shoot is not shortened till the young fruit is formed 
upon it, and then it is done to throw additional nourishment into the swelling grapes. 
Flowering exotics have their shoots reduced, on the contrary, to strengthen them, 
to prevent them from extending too far, and becoming too weak, and to stimulate 
them to the production of a much greater number of lateral branches, and a con- 
sequently augmented display of flowers. By doing this when those shoots are being 
developed, the plant is spared the exhaustion which would result from a superfluous 
