136 
PRUNING AND TRAINING. 
In searching for a point on which to seize, in order to illustrate the compre- 
hensive view we take of the subject, we start by imagining we are pursuing our 
course among some picturesque scene, and fall in with, in an unsheltered barren 
situation, a stunted-branched Oak or deformed Pine heightening the character of 
the scene, and according with all surrounding objects ; to change which would be an 
act of folly — to attempt to do so a still greater. This imaginary case is instanced as 
an extreme one, in which every attempt to effect any good by "pruning and 
training " would be fruitless. The natural circumstances of the situation so com- 
pletely operates to nullify its influence, that except it were changed, or exceedingly 
modified, it were unreasonable to expect the least approach to a favourable result. 
It is not admitted that by no possible agency could such an order of things be 
established as would permit, and even facilitate the valuableness of " pruning and 
training " being evident, if not to its fullest extent, at least in degree. 
Having given the foregoing as the extreme of circumstances under which we 
consider the practice of the operations in question would be of no avail, but to a near 
approach of which we are quite satisfied they may be profitably employed, we will 
proceed to trace down and bring forward instances where "pruning and training" 
may be practised, and be highly beneficial. We walk into the wide-stretching acres 
of a noble park, and approach a faultless specimen of Horse-Chesnut, Sycamore, 
Ash, Oak, or any of the hardy genera ; we say a faultless specimen, because the 
most symmetrical proportions, the most perfect development of every part is there 
exhibited. It extends, and may be sweeps the ground on all sides with its perfect 
ramifications; our only regret in reference to such a monument of perfection is, 
that it is not in a wood of others of similar age and dimensions, but is there alone in 
its beauty and perfect completeness. And it is not because there are no others, 
that timely pruning and training could not have rendered them all such. None may 
have been practised upon it, but it happened to grow handsome when young, its 
several parts being nicely balanced, and nothing intervened to destroy such balance ; 
consequently it attained maturity, developing continually the same handsome features. 
Now, a large and aged tree is beautiful whatever be its shape ; it enlists our venera- 
tion from the moment we behold it ; its time-worn branches call forth the best 
feelings of our nature. How much more an object of admiration is it when it combines 
beauty with age — the great beauty we have above described ! To change the scene, 
and feast our vision upon a finely formed Willow, or drooping Birch, as their 
branches dip to the reposing lake, or ripple the passing waters of a gentle stream, 
by whose sides they may be flourishing. How expansive is their proportions, what 
an extensive and well-filled outline do they describe, so conspicuous, arising or 
expanding among the scraggy forms by which they are surrounded ; and yet they 
may have received no aid from " pruning and training," in unfolding the inherent 
beauty their charming forms exhibit ; but the want of it in the younger stages of 
their neighbour's growth is mournfully evident now. Again, we come upon a 
towering Spruce Fir, a perfect pyramid of evergreen vegetation, whose lower branches 
