40 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
October 23. 
THE ERUIT-GARDEN. 
Pruning. —We purpose, during the next three or four 
weeks, to handle this subject in most of its bearings, 
both because it is a seasonable affair, and because a 
good deal of misconception exists as to its true use and 
tendencies. We will first remark on general principles, 
and afterwards handle the fruits in detail; pointing to 
its extent and influence on each separately, for the sake 
of those who are young in horticulture. Of course, 
hranch-pruning is meant, and that, too, as performed 
during the rest season ; which, in the gardening accepta¬ 
tion, extends from the fall of the leaf until the very first 
symptoms of the incipient buds bursting their bonds. 
Let it be understood, then, that it is always necessary 
to distinguish well between winter, or rest-pruning; 
summer-pruning, or stopping; and root-pruning. We 
would fain convene a few set titles for these procedures; 
they might be as follows: Rest-pruning , Growth-pruning, 
and Root-pruning. The second term including all 
stoppings, pincliings, &c., commonly called “ fiuger-and- 
thumb-work.” There is nothing like established terms 
to express our proceedings; it saves misconception in 
the minds of the readers, and tedious repetition on the 
part of the writer. 
And now to commence, let us see what “ rest-pruning” 
can do. 
1. It can cause the admission of more light. 
2. Relieve oppressed trees. 
3. Assist in completing the necessary form. 
4. Promote symmetry. 
5. Finnish blanks. 
6. Induce spurs. 
7. Remove obstacles. 
Now this is a goodly list of merits, certainly. We must 
beg permission to give “ the why and the wherefore.” 
1st. Admission oe Light.— That the removal of a por¬ 
tion of the shoots, or branches of a tree, will enable the 
remaining portion to receive a greater degree of light, is 
a self-evident fact. Trees in a state of nature grow up 
to maturity, bear abundantly, and re-produce their kind, 
unassisted by man. Nature’s grand object, however, 
seems to be simply the production of seed; the character 
of the pulp is a secondary consideration. For the former 
man cares little; it is the coating which surrounds the 
seed, or kernel, which constitutes the chief value of most 
of the fruits he cultivates; and it is well-known that the 
progressive amelioration of that flesh is highly de¬ 
pendant on cultural operations, amongst which may be 
counted judicious pruning. By raising seedlings, then, 
through successive generations, and by high culture, we 
have the valuable Ribstone pippin from the worthless 
crab; the delicious Greengage from the sloe, &c.; at least, 
good judges of such thiugs generally consider it to have 
been the case. Now in pruning, it is not merely the 
admission of light that is effected, although that is the 
most important with regard to quality and fruitful habits, 
the relief of trees oppressed with overbearing is another 
important consideration; this, however, belongs to point 
the second. A free and equal admission of light tends to 
produce an equality in the branches, and, by conse¬ 
quence, equality in the character and size of the fruit; 
for in trees totally unpruned, we may often see a few 
fine fruit just at the extremity of the branch, whilst the 
remainder, especially the interior, is crowded with pro¬ 
duce, deficient both in size and quality. The free and 
equal admission of light, also tends to produce solidifi¬ 
cation of the wood, and thereby to promote healthiness 
ol habit; one step, assuredly, to size and quality of fruit. 
2ndly. Relieving Oppressed Trees. —If, through 
overbearing, general debility, age, canker, or temporary 
loss of power, through removal, or any adventitious 
circumstances, trees evince weakness, pruning, judiciously 
performed, is a certain relief, temporary, at least ; and 
very frequently a permanent one. This having been i 
adverted to before, under point the first, we proceed to ' 
consider bow pruning 
3rdly. Assists in Completing the Necessary Form, j 
—That timely pruning will assist in carrying out the | 
trainer’s view is well-known to everybody; indeed, it is I 
scarcely possible to carry out a neat espalier system ! 
without it. Not that we would direct his chief attention 
to this as the main accessory to that end. No; summer- j 
stopping is by far more important; but of this more in 
its proper place. Merely referring to the principle, we ; 
will pass on, promising, in due time, to show its applica- j 
tion in common with the other points to each of our 
fruits. 
4thly. Pruning Promotes Symmetry.— This is merely j 
referred to in order to point to this very necessary 
qualification in fruit trees, especially in small gardens 
of the ornamental character, villas, the ferme ornee, &c. 
It may, at once, be merged into point the third, after the 
above consideration. 
5thly. Furnishes Blanks.— This, indeed,with regard 
to young trees especially, is one of the most important 
ends of rest-pruning. The chief misfortune is, that in 
attempting to carry out neat systems of training, much 
sacrifice of wood, which would otherwise prove of 
fruitful character, is but too apt to be made. This, 
indeed, is almost inseparable from a systematic course 
in the earlier stages of the tree; still a judicious course 
of “ summer-stopping,” and timely training, will save 
many a twig, which otherwise falls before the ruthless 
hand of the “ rest ” pruner. Whatever be the course 
pursued in regard of summer management, rest- 
pruning should be resorted to with trees of all ages, 
whim and where deficiencies exist. The pruner, in this 
case, may merely remember that a tendency exists in 
most free-growing shoots (on young trees especially) to 
lengthen, and that it very frequently serves the culti¬ 
vator’s purpose much better to cause one strong shoot 
to branch into four or five subordinate ones; this the 
rest-pruner’s knife can accomplish under ordinary cir¬ 
cumstances. 
fithly. Induces Sburs. —One of the most important 
offices of rest-pruning, and in carrying out a dwarfing 
system, needs to be practised annually on many of the 
long shoots of young and free-growing trees, until the 
side buds are made to develop in some degree. It is 
not, however, equally applicable to all trees, as we shall 
show in detail shortly. 
7thly. Removes Obstacles. —The trees of the kitchen- 
garden, especially the rough espaliers or dwarf stand- j 
ards, are apt in time to exceed the bounds originally 
assigned them, to overgrow the vegetables or flowers, or 
overspread the walks. Here rest-pruning must be used, j 
and it should be done in good time, or large amputations | 
become necessary; this is a proceeding to be avoided at j 
all times, as fraught with danger to the stability of the j 
trees. 
Having thus pointed in the abstract to the use of i 
rest-pruning , we will in future papers show its applica 
tion to our respective fruits. 
R. Ehrington. 
THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 
Tb I was beginning a new garden on my own account, 
or entering on the culture of Dahlias for the first time— 
that is, for the flower-garden, and apart from all idea of 
competing for prizes—this is about the time that I would 
get in, or buy, the foundation for a good display. I 
would have a good, sound root of all the sorts I wanted, 
and I would take particular care that the great fangs, 
or tubers, were free from cracks or bruises, always a sign 
that they had been carelessly got up, instead of being 
