Pruning Flowery And Ornamental Trees.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11736, 13 September 1902, Page 4

Pruning Flowery And Ornamental Trees.

Garden plants are not pruned for precisely the same reasons that fruiting trees are dealt with. As shrubs grow: old and irregular, ■aud-their branches become attenuated and weakened, the leaves and flowers grow smaller, and the freshness and beauty, desired is not forthcoming. The would-be pruner must remember that no one season or system will serve for all. The age, size, nature/ period of growth and flowering will determine the time of cutting, and in many instances plants are improved from cutting them over two or three, times a year, but one must know what the plant is about to do before he can prune with safety. Shrubs and garden ..plants are pruned to keep them within bounds ; to secure shapely and attractive form; to provide fine fouageand floM'er in greatest abundance;to quicken and rejuvenate the roots, and thereby refresh the head of the plant; to rid or prevent the appearance, of various animals and vegetable parasites, which weaken and destroy leaves and flowe-s, and in some instances the whole system of the plant; and to allow the prowr amount of light, heat and air to reach the body of the plant and the soil wherein it grows. In pruning shrubs and garden plants ba careful to avoid stiffness and monotony of shape and size. Variety of form and an easy negligence go far to increase the size and effect of the garden.

The Time to Prune.—All plants flowering in spring and early summer may with, advantage be pruned immediately after the flowering is over; they wffl then have the summer in which to make ne*w and useful wood. All strong growing, hard wooded shrubs and trees should be pruned in winter. The principal pruning of roses should be done in July or August. The later and harder roses are cut back the later they will be in flowering. Of what does pruning consist? Pruning has for its main objects the removal of superfluous old wood, and to some extent a> cuttiuqr out and shortening in ofthe new so that more light, air and energy may be given to the parts reserved ior foliage or flowers. Pruning also regulates the ize of the plant, according to its. nature, habit, and the resources 01 the soil in which/it is placed. The primer should first remove all the dead and dirty wood, every decaying little stub or fewig, all diseased arid failing leaves; then, with nothing but living and healthy wood before him he should.be able to decide on a shape, size and degree of openness of the branches which will favowv the best type of new wood and flower. Much reading will not make one informed of gardening methods, but regular praeti. © and observation always make for success wherever any native capacity is brought to the work. .