Notwithstanding the amount of attention this operation has received from the earliest to the latest contributions to horticultural literature, there is still much room for improvement in its practical application. It is a matter of regret, and tends greatly to retard horticultural progress, that no definite rules can be laid down for guidance in many of its details, that will be found equally applicable in all cases: hence it occurs that the many seemingly conflicting advices given upon certain subjects bewilders the inexperienced cultivator, and makes him doubt the truth of the sentence that says, "In the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Although theoretical advice will be taken only for what it is worth by the man whose practice is backed by long and successful experience, yet there are many who have not had the benefit of such experience, that are easily led to agree with fair and plausible deductions, and only discover their error when it is too late to be recalled.

In the various manipulations connected with the cultivation of fruit trees, pruning is one of the most important, and one of the least attended to. It is true that most people who have fruit trees generally make some attempt of the kind ; but wholesale inflictions of the saw and axe in trimming up the stems, as practised by many, can not be termed pruning. To attain a thorough knowledge both of the use and abuse of the operation, it is necessary to take into consideration the conditions upon which a tree exists, and the modifying influences to which it is subjected. When a seed is deposited in a suitable medium for germination, its first effort is to send roots downward into the soil, which is immediately followed by a corresponding upward elongation forming stem and leaves. The seed contains within itself all the elements required for this process; but as soon as leaves are developed, the plant changes its source of nourishment, and is now dependent upon the soil and air for its future support. The elementary substances absorbed by the roots undergoes decomposition in the leaves, and the new matter thus prepared passes down the stem and roots, extending their formation.

The roots have no inherent power of extension, but are dependent upon the elaborating functions of the leaves; and although they precede the leaves in the germination of seed, their existence is due to the previous action of foliage, and their increase will be in an exact ratio to the amount of foliage retained.

When we consider, therefore, how essential foliage is to the health and development of the plant, we may well pause and consider what object is to be gained by infringing upon the beautiful system of reciprocal action Nature has established between the roots and branches, resting assured that every branch we cut off exercises an influence either injurious or beneficial to the future well-being of the tree. This corelative action between the leaves and roots being so intimately connected, it follows that by diminishing the extent of foliage a corresponding check is given to the roots. Their power of action being thus circumscribed, there is less absorption of watery matter into the system of the plant, and the wood is in consequence solidified and well matured, which is indispensable to a fruiting condition. This effect is produced by pruning when the plant is in full foliation and vigorous growth. If deferred until the leaves perform their allotted functions, a contrary effect is produced. By reducing the branches after the fall of the leaf, the balance of power is destroyed, and the roots have the preponderance : new shoots are then produced with increased size and vigor.

Hence it is a well known [axiom with successful cultivators that summer pruning weakens, while winter pruning strengthens a plant The whole art of pruning is comprehended in the proper application of these principles ; and when we consider in this connection the innumerable and widely varied causes which render pruning necessary, we will at once see the folly of attempting to establish a definite rule that will be a safe guide to the inexperienced.

In the practical application of the above rules, the pruner must be guided by the condition of the tree to be operated upon. In young trees it is evident that a healthy, vigorous, and extended system of roots is the most important consideration. To secure this, we must carefully preserve every shoot and leaf during summer, and prune it down immediately the season's growth is completed. In an abstract view it does seem a negative practice to allow a branch to grow and then cut it off and throw it away. I confess that, in common with many others, such was at one time my belief and that something would be gained in establishing the base of a young plant by pinching the ends of strong shoots during summer, with the view of encouraging the production of laterals. After repeated and extended experiment on a variety of young fruit and also ornamental plants, I am convinced that, as a general thing, the practice is decidedly injurious.* No doubt we can thus shape the plant at once, but at the expense of future vigor and permanent health. Secure a healthy root action by winter pruning closely a season or two, and then summer pruning may be resorted to with the best results.

The cultivation of pyramidal Pear trees is at present attracting some notice, and as pruning forms a principal auxiliary in securing any desired form, very much will, of course, depend upon the system pursued. No class of fruit trees present a greater dissimilarity of growth than Pears - consequently the treatment of each variety forms, as it were, a distinct study. Many sorts assume a pyramidal habit almost intuitively, while others require the greatest care to bring them into that form; their treatment must be widely different. Taking the Winter Nelis as a familiar example of the latter class, we find a straggly, horizontal growing tendency to counteract. To do this, winter pruning must be vigorously persevered in until the plant sends up vigorous growths. The summer management will then consist in checking the growth of the strongest shoots by pinching their extremities, reserving a considerable portion for winter removal in order to keep up a slight preponderance in favor of root growth.

On the other hand may be cited the Beurre d'Aremberg and Glout Morceau as representatives of a class that naturally form numerous side shoots and laterals.

Further than a slight reduction of the first two years' growth these may be kept in the most uniform shape by throwing the knife aside, and skillfully plying the finger and thumb occasionally on the young growing shoots. Between these two extreme cases are many intermediate ones. Those having a strong upward tendency of growth, as Urbaniste*, Duchess d'TAngouleme, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Vicar of Wink-field, Ac, require a different treatment Lateral growths near the base must be encouraged by severely pinching the strong central shoots, never allowing them to exceed eight or ten inches without bruising the points between the fingers. To preserve the desired shape in these, it will occasionally be found necessary to remove a few of the strongest top shoots altogether during summer, and shorten-in the side shoots in the winter pruning. Another distinct and rather unmanageable habit may be exemplified in the rampant growth of Beurre Diel and Triomphe de Jodoigne. These can only be kept within bounds by persevering in close summer pruning, leaving as little as possible for winter removal - otherwise they will, for many years, produce more fire-wood than fruit.

* We quite agree with Mr. SaUNDERs on this point, as regards the rearing of trees. - Ed.

There is still a large majority that can not properly be classed with either of the foregoing. These may be termed rapid growers, but at the same time easily formed into any desired shape, throwing out numerous side shoots when the tops are pinched. I might notice the Fondante d'Automne, Bonne de Zees, Golden Beurre of Bilboa, many of the Doyennes, and a host of others that come under this head, according to my observation of favorably situated trees in this locality. Climate, situation, soil, all exert a manifest influence both in habit and vigor of growth, but the general principles by which we are to be guided remain the same throughout.

It may be supposed that the above remarks have reference merely to training, overlooking its effects as influencing the production of fruit. Such, however, is not the case; in securing the one, we also ensure the other. One prevailing cause of sterility in fruit trees is over-luxuriant growth, and summer pruning is the most effectual check that can be applied, unless we resort to pruning the roots. In fact, it is only by a proper attention to summer disbudding and pinching that the full benefit of good cultivation can be obtained; otherwise it would seem worse than useless to manure and cultivate highly, since it would only encourage excessive wood growth ; but summer pruning enables us to derive the full benefit of such generous treatment by the increased quality of superior fruit. By suppressing excess of growth on one portion of the plant the sap is more equally distributed, and fruiting spurs are encouraged on the older branches. The application of stimulants enables the plants to perfect a heavy crop without a weakened reaction, and a yearly succession of good crops becomes a matter of certainty. Summer pinching to promote fruitfulness may be practiced on trees of weakly and delicate growth without materially imparing their vigor.

Elongation may be checked by bruising the extreme point of the shoot without any reduction of foliage. Grape vines pruned on the spur system, are frequently injured by the wholesale destruction of foliage after the fruit is formed, instead of attending to it early and checking the shoot as soon as the fruit-stalk could be dis-tmguished. No fruit tree is more benefitted by disbudding and summer pruning than the Peach. Naturally a plant of rapid growth under favorable conditions, it frequently attains an unfruitful luxuriance. Early attention to the removal of superfluous and pinching the points of the strongest shoots, will not only enhance the value of the fruit, but increase the longevity and health of the tree. Lindlky truly remarks: " If well directed, pruning is one of the most useful, and,, if ill directed, it is among the most mischevious operations that can take place upon a plant".

* We find the Urbonbte one of the most easily managed pyramids, being short Jointed and quite branchy from the.

[We commend Mr. Saunber's remarks to the careful perusal and reperusal of all inexperienced persons who are charged with the management of trees. We know Mr. S. to be an intelligent and thoroughly practical man. - ED].