In pruning always cut upwards, and in a sloping direction.

3693. Always leave an inch of blank wood beyond a terminal bud, and let the cut be on the opposite side of the bud.

3694. Prune so as to leave as few wounds as possible, and let the surface of every cut be perfectly smooth.

3695. In cutting out an old branch, prune it even with the parent limb, that the wound may heal quickly.

3696. Prune so as to obtain the quantity of fruit desired on the smallest number of shoots possible.

3697. Never prune in frosty weather, nor when a frost is expected.

3698. Never prune in the months of March, April, or May; pruning in either of these months causes bleeding, and occasions thereby a wasteful and injurious expenditure of sap.

3699. Let the general autumnal pruning take place as soon after the 1st of October as the gathering of the fruit will permit. Lastly. Use a pruning-knife of the best description, and let it be, if possible, as sharp as a razor.