Averuncator, or pole pruning shears. The Averuncator, attached to a pole, operates by means of a lever moved by a cord and pulley; its use is to prune from the ground trees whose branches are beyond reach. Branches of one inch and a half in diameter may be easily cut off with this instrument. Averuncators of small size, arc also very useful in cutting off from shade and fruit trees small branches to which in-sects have attached themselves: they are also used for gathering fine fruits, which when cut fall into a basket, to be attached to the instrument when used for this purpose.

Fig. 20 is a very effective instrument of a similar kind, and has the advantage of a sliding cut, which lessens the labour of pruning, and leaves the branch which has been cut as smooth as though a knife had been used; this instrument is supe-perior to Fig. 19 in this respect, but will not cut a branch of greater diameter than one inch.

Fig. 19.

Fig. 20.