PRUNING EXOTIC PLANTS. 
39 
expenditure of its strength ; the effect of additional vigour in the branch stopped is 
produced immediately ; the lateral shoots, too, are emitted directly after, and the 
greater profusion of blossoms is gained in the same year. Pruning in winter would 
never occasion either these or similar desirable consequences. It will be perceived, 
therefore, that tlie beauty of the plant before referred to, as arising from the practice 
herein touched upon, is by no means the only, or even the greatest, of the 
advantages which the system entails. Superior energy and productiveness alike 
follow in its train. 
It would far exceed our limits to name half the plants on which we have seen 
this process beneficially employed. Greenhouse and stove dwarf shrubby plants, 
especially the former, come particularly within its application. The species of 
Chorozema^ Hovea^ Platylohium^ and Pimelea, are good examples. Pelargoniums, 
Calceolarias, Verbenas, and all suffruticose half-hardy plants, although retarded two 
or three weeks in their blooming by this plan, have thereby their display greatly 
heightened and rendered more permanent. Climbing plants, and those trained to 
low trellises more than others, absolutely need some such check, to induce them to 
protrude lateral and flowering branches. Many stove exotics, as Ixoras, some 
species of Euphorbia, Thunbergias, Ipomoeas, and similar climbers, are immensely 
improved by having their shoots stopped when young. And to descend to 
herbaceous plants and annuals, by removing early the leading shoots of not a few 
species, their flowers will be much increased both in size and quantity. The 
instances thus given are merely meant to direct attention to the sort of plants to 
which such a plan can be applied. They might be extended to include almost the 
whole of the vegetable kingdom having allied habits. 
In adopting, extensively, the system we have propounded, the first requisite is 
to commence it at an early stage of the plant's existence. Vegetables, like children, 
may be most easily trained when young, and if then neglected, it is almost equally 
difficult to reclaim both. As soon as the plants are thoroughly established, and 
have formed good roots, their shoots should be shortened, that they may branch 
freely from the very base. Thus made to grow dense at first, they will not after- 
wards require such close pruning. Repeated reduction of the principal shoots will, 
however, be necessary in every subsequent year ; and it is better to err on the right 
side, by giving the plant a formal appearance for a year or two, than to allow it 
to grow too easily at the outset, so as always to retain it in a spreading and 
straggling state. 
Unquestionably the preferable time for effecting this pruning is in the spring 
months, when the first growth is made. At that season alone, indeed, can the 
purport of the operation be realised ; for it is then that the plants will be able to 
concentrate their energies on strengthening and solidifying the part of the branch 
that is left, and on the development of new laterals for flowers. The extent to 
which each shoot should be reduced must be decided by its comparative thickness. 
Weakly shoots may be shortened to two inches or less ; healthy ones can be retained 
