Syringa (Lilac).—these should be kept free of suckers, especially the finer-named kinds, which are usually worked on stocks of the Common Lilac. In addition, disbudding may be practised with advantage in the spring, removing the majority of the blind shoots and any flowering or leading shoots that are misplaced or not required. This should be done twice or thrice at intervals of ten days or a fortnight.
Tamarix.—Cut back in a young state, but when older they should not be pruned at all.
Vaccinium.—The removal of any old or rough wood is sufficient for these.
Viburnum.—All the Viburnums grow thickly, and require an annual thinning.
Vitis.—The methods practised in growing Vines for fruit suit the ornamental species as well. If space is restricted they should be grown on the spur system, and if there is plenty of room then the extension system may be employed.
Wistaria.—These should be kept spurred in, with the exception of the leading shoots, which merely require a shortening in early spring according to the strength of the plant.
Xanthoceras.—Requires no pruning.
Zenobia.—These require no pruning as a rule, but occasionally a hard cutting back will induce healthy growth in place of a weakly one.
Thinning.—It will be gathered from these notes that thinning out only is needful in many cases. If judicious thinning were more practised English gardens would be more beautiful. It promotes internal growth and a wealth of flowers.
Pruning is frequently carelessly and ignorantly done, and this applies especially to forest trees. There are certain tools that may be used for the purpose. Under ordinary circumstances only a few are necessary, and these should always be of the best quality, sharp, clean, and always kept ready for use. Take the pruning knife for example. If this is not sharp it is impossible to make the necessary clean cut. The surface will be jagged and rough, and probably promote disease. Some prefer secateurs, and while admitting their value for pruning purposes, a good sharp knife is preferable; it is not so heavy, and does not tire the hand. There are several of these implements in the market, but the best that has come under my notice is the "improved double cutting"; it is easy to work and cuts clean. For standard trees use the "Standard Tree Pruner."