THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
71 
cutting off the blooming stalks immediately after flowering, as its 
disposition of growth does not admit of the use of the knife in its 
adult state. There are two periods of Heath pruning. In each a 
different object being in view, the principle of pruning must of 
course be varied. 
In the one case the object is to form the plant ; in the other, to 
induce it to produce bloom. The foundation of the future plant can, 
in the majority of cases, be formed in one season, if pruning is 
necessary. If the species be of the kind not admitting the knife, it 
will form itself; but of these we have nothing to do at present. 
Presuming it is well formed and full of promise for future excel- 
lence, it now arises — how can it be induced to retain the character 
and reward us by a rich display of bloom ? When a Heath has pro- 
duced its bloom for the season, it immediately commences producing 
wood for the next period of blooming ; and as the Heath, in common 
with many genera to which it is allied, increases its growth iu the 
main by the simple elongation of the growing points, or by laterals 
near those extremities, and as the foliage is permanently cast from 
the wood of more than two seasons’ growth, it follows that if shoots 
of eight or ten inches in length are left from year to year, the 
appearance of the plant will be anything but pleasing after a few 
seasons’ growth. 
As soon as possible after the flowers begin to fade on the free- 
growing kinds, bring the knife into requisition ; and in the use of it 
some little practice is necessary, not so much in the mere mechanical 
application as in judging of the most suitable way in which to 
apply it. 
Physiology teaches us, and the theory is correct, that those parts 
of a plant possessing the greatest amount of fully-organized cellular 
tissue, or that substance from which all the several parts of a plant, 
including the reproductive system, derives their formation and 
nourishment, will produce the most perfect branches, if means are 
taken for their proper development. It follows that the pruning of 
any given shoot should take place precisely at the point exhibiting 
these characteristics in the highest development. 
This being done, the otherwise dormant buds in the immediate 
vicinity of the incision will immediately start into activity, and the 
result will be strong and vigorous shoots, which, if left untouched, 
will continue to grow up to the expansion of their flower buds. In 
fact, a Heath can scarcely ever be said to be wholly inert ; for, 
except when under the liberal application of the knife, when of 
course the system receives a partial check, it is perpetually growing. 
I have said, if the shoots produced after pruning are left to them- 
selves, they will continue elongating till the flowers begin to expand. 
Tsow, in many cases, and in the formation of the formal specimens 
before alluded to, it is indispensable that these shoots should again 
be topped ; the result is for every shoot which, if left untopped til. 
after blooming, would have produced nine or twelve inches in length 
adorned with bloom, three or four inches each occupying its place, 
producing a more bushy and pyramidical plant, it is true, but far 
deficient in nobleness of appearance. In conclusion, I would say, 
March. 
