:j1.1 pykus malus. 



In pritn'infr apple-lrcvs, it is alike iiiiiKirtaiit to ro^ard the general form of 

 their ln'ads, as it is tli(^ manaijenient of their inthvuhial branches. A system 

 which has loni^ been j)raciis'(J ni Mnrope, and has l)een adujited for many years 

 in the United States, is to lead out (f the nj)right stem, at a uiven height, a series 

 of horizontal branches, each series com|)rising four limbs, situated at j)idper inter- 

 vals, till the tree can bear no more of tliem. The advantai:(s resulting from this 

 mode are, that the boughs can be made capable of producing I'rnil at an earlier 

 age: the strength of snch branches, at the place of their insertion into the stem, 

 is much greater than of those which grow at more acute angles; and that the 

 Hat or semi-spherical heads of snch trees seem designed not only to lessen the 

 hold of the wind, but to diminish the intiuence of the shade on the crops around 

 them, as well as to admit light, heat, and ventilation within them. It has been 

 recommended that the head of the tree be somewhat hemisphe- 

 rical, with a hollow space left in the line of its central parts; 

 for these parts are more secluded from the light and air, than 

 the rest of the tree, and consequently are not adapted to the pro- 

 duction of fruit. In forming the head of a tree in the Atlantic 

 parts of the United States, it has also been recommended to diminish the weight 

 and quantity of boughs on its east or north-east side, (the side opposite to the 

 prevailing winds,) as trees generally incline that way; and to encourage the 

 branches on the opposite side to screen the sun from the trunk, in order to pre- 

 vent its powerful rays in summer from killing the bark, and causing canker and 

 ruin to the tree. Mr. Knight recommends most attention to be paid to the lateral 

 branches, which, if unchecked by occasional pruning, are apt to load the tree too 

 much at the extremities. Mr. Joseph Cooper, of New Jersey, entertained a simi- 

 lar opinion. " Young fruit-trees," said he, " should not have the side-shoots cut 

 close to the stem, which forces the growth the whole way up the top; which 

 becomes so weighty, as to bend and spoil the trees. I have found it better to cut 

 the ends of ihe side-shoots * ^ * * * which will encourage the growth of the 

 stem or trunk, till it acquires strength to support a good top." After the head of 

 the tree is properly formed, nothing more is necessary than to cut out all the 

 branches that cross each other, or are likely to be in the way within three years. 

 As the trees produce their fruit upon cursions,or spurs, care must be observed not 

 to cut off or destroy them, as they continue to be fruitful for several seasons. It 

 has also been recommended to " prune at a fork," or at least, " at a bud ;" on the 

 ground that a wound is best protected when covered by bark from without ; and 

 as the bark never spreads over the end of a long stump, but only over the place 

 from which it has been taken, the new cover must be supplied by the extension 

 of the bark of another branch, and such a branch, even a bud may become in 

 time. Till this extension of bark be effected, however, an artificial covering 

 should be substituted, by shaving the wounded surface close and smooth, and 



applying immediately a plaster composed of 



Parts. 



White Burgundy pitch, 16 



Black pitch, 4 



Resin, 4 



Bees-wax, 4 



) 



Tallow 8 



Pounded mastic 1 



Salt-petre, 1 



This mixture should be warmed over a slow fire for three fourths of an hour; 

 and when melted, but not too hot, be put on with a brush to a depth of one 

 sixteenth to one half of an inch in thickness, according to the size of the wound. 



