242 
PRUNING AND THINNING. 
[Part IV. 
beginning of the lower side of the branch: these 
two growths are continuous and the same with 
each other; and, as in Plate I., they are con¬ 
tinuous and the same with the last or outside 
growth of the branch. All the growths to the 
left of these are disunited with the branch; and, 
if the branch had been cut off at A when it 
died, they would have formed clean solid timber, 
like that outside the end of the branch, instead 
of inclosing a disunited knot. Each of the 
other annual growths of the stem above the 
branch will be found continuous and the same 
with the growth numbered one after it below 
the branch. 
In countries where it is the practice to shrive 
the hedge-row trees, their branchless stems are 
ascended by means of spikes at the sides of the 
feet. In the East, palms are ascended to in¬ 
oculate the flower and to gather the fruit, by 
placing the feet against the stem, and the back 
against a band which includes the stem and the 
climber. 
In pruning old and long neglected trees, the 
ladder should be placed perfectly upright against 
the stem of the tree, and tied fast to prevent its 
being knocked off by the falling branches, or 
broken by them. If the head of the tree is out 
