PRUNING AND TRAINING. I35 
attention more extensively to the great and deeply important department of Natural 
History, the Vegetable Kingdom. The Orchidaceous family, indeed, from its very 
extraordinary character, peculiarly tends to what we allude, no better evidence of 
which is, the wide extent to which it is now grown, and the perfection its members 
are brought to by cultivation. 
Noble as the Cyrtopodium we have been describing appeared, it was not seen to 
the greatest advantage, in consequence of its standing on the ground. It would have 
appeared far larger, and more noble, if it had been elevated a foot or fifteen inches, 
which we understood it would have been, had it not been very late in the morning 
when it was brought to its position. 
PRUNING AND TRAINING. 
The operations of which the above simple terms are the names, are as familiar 
to every one at all acquainted with any description of gardening occupation as the 
terms themselves, that is, as far as " pruning and training " being practised to a 
certain extent, and for certain purposes, are concerned. But, beyond this, in a general 
view of the case, or as at all, according to its importance, it is very rarely practised, 
and therefore cannot be, in a wide sense of the expression, sufficiently understood. 
Believing this, assured it is indisputable, we shall proceed to deal with the subject 
in a manner that will render it suitable, and we feel convinced, acceptable in our 
pages. 
We are principally and too much acquainted with " pruning and training " as 
part of a course of treatment ; recommendations to have recourse to it, instructions as 
to its objects, utility, &c, and directions for the mode of proceeding to carry it out, 
too invariably treat it as though it was a thing of secondary importance, which 
indeed, under certain circumstances, it does become. With one or two worthy 
exceptions, but in those the views of the subject confined to certain limits, we have 
never met with the practice under consideration dealt with as embodying a great 
principle, the proper application of which is capable of producing various important 
results, developing themselves under profitable, politic, highly gratifying, and en- 
chanting aspects. With the two first we have necessarily nothing to do here. 
" Pruning and training," as it relates to the production of superior timber, or induces 
a tree to provide gratifying shade for the sweltering Deer and heated Ox, as it creates 
the disposition to produce the melting peach and juicy grape, does not come within 
our province. Our present business with " priming and training " has little con- 
cern beyond the production of ornamental effect, a consideration of it as it applies to 
which, it must be admitted, embraces a very wide field indeed ; and though it is our 
intention to keep within certain limits, we may be tempted to range in a manner 
that will appear contradictory to our stated purpose. 
