It is commonly thought that evergreen trees cannot be safely pruned to any great extent. Perhaps it is just as well that this idea so generally prevails, as it serves to rescue the beautiful natural form from the perils of individual caprice. As a rule, the evergreen is never so beautiful as when allowed to take its natural form, which, while not always symmetrical, is usually pleasing to the eye by reason of its conformity to its conditions and surroundings. This is especially the case where the trees are massed together. Then, if left to their natural growth, they will form a beautiful whole, although, considered separately, there may not be a single perfect specimen in the lot.

The evergreen should have a good leader, or central stem, if it is to stand as a single perfect specimen. This does not always come naturally. The leader sometimes leads off so rapidly that the side growth is lessened. This is particularly noticeable with the spruces. For a year or two there may be little if any side growth. Perhaps the next year or so after, the side growth will start out up near the top of the leader, leaving a bare space between. This gives the tree an unsightly form.

A little pruning at the proper time will prevent all this. If the leader at any time shows a disinclination to throw out side growth, cut it back to where the side growth is desired. Two or more leaders may start from this cut. Allow only the most robust one of them to grow, and it will soon take the desired upward growth, with only a slight quirk at the point of its starting from the original stem. This clipping back is sure to induce side growth and keep the tree full at all points.

In the hedge, the evergreen must be pruned severely and frequently. Most varieties will stand this treatment. The growth, as in all plant life, being mainly upward it is the top shoots which must receive the most attention. It is a mistake to allow the hedge row to reach the proper height before commencing this cutting back. If this is done, there will be the same bare spaces that we have referred to in the single specimens. To guard against this, and to get a thick growth from the very ground up, the top growth must be clipped back from the very start. Do not be afraid that you will not afterward* be able to get it up to the proper height. No matter how much it is cut back and discouraged, the tendency of the growth being always upward, it will soon regain lost ground if allowed. - W. D. Boynton.