136 
PRUNING AND TRAINING. 
Iii searching for a point on which to seize, in order to illustrate the compr 
hensive view we take of the subject, we start by imagining we are pursuing oi 
course among some picturesque scene, and fall in with, in an unsheltered barrel 
situation, a stunted-branched Oak or deformed Pine heightening the character < 
the scene, and according with all surrounding objects ; to change which would be a 
act of folly — to attempt to do so a still greater. This imaginary case is instanced i 
an extreme one, in which every attempt to effect any good by “pruning an 
training ” would be fruitless. The natural circumstances of the situation so con 
pletely operates to nullify its influence, that except it were changed, or exceeding] 
modified, it were unreasonable to expect the least approach to a favourable resul 
It is not admitted that by no possible agency could such an order of things l 
established as would permit, and even facilitate the valuableness of “ pruning an 
training ” being evident, if not to its fullest extent, at least in degree. 
Having given the foregoing as the extreme of circumstances under which \v 
consider the practice of the operations in question would be of no avail, but to a lies 
approach of which we are quite satisfied they may be profitably employed, we wi 
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 acre 
of a noble park, and approach a faultless specimen of Horse-Chesnut, Sycamon 
Ash, Oak, or any of the hardy genera ; we say a faultless specimen, because th 
most symmetrical proportions, the most perfect development of every part is tker 
exhibited. It extends, and may be sweeps the ground on all sides with its perfec 
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 i: 
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 ma 
have been practised upon it, but it happened to grow handsome when young, it 
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 veners 
tion from the moment we behold it ; its time-worn branches call forth the bes 
feelings of our nature. How much more an object of admiration is it when it combine 
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 tliei 
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, wba 
an extensive and well-filled outline do they describe, so conspicuous, arising o 
expanding among the scraggy forms by which they are surrounded ; and yet the; 
may have received no aid from “ pruning and training,” in unfolding the inheren 
beauty their charming forms exhibit ; but the want of it in the younger stages o 
their neighbour’s growth is mournfully evident now. Again, we come upon i 
towering Spruce Fir, a perfect pyramid of evergreen vegetation, whose lower branche; 
