1871.] THE PRUNING OF FRUIT-TREES. 117 



as looks were concerned, had the advantage for the first two months 

 after ' planting, but from that time it ceased, and for the next five 

 years, — the time I had charge of them, — the small, well-rooted canes 

 exhibited their superiority by a more vigorous growth, the wood less 

 pithy and easier ripened, the bunches generally compacter and shorter 

 in the foot-stalks. Now here was an instance showing the importance 

 of having thoroughly-ripened, well-rooted canes to begin with. Had 

 aU of them been of the same description as those which only partially 

 succeeded, the failure would in all probability have been attribut-ed to 

 some fault in the materials of which the border was made, 



J. H. 



THE PRUNIISTG- OF FRUIT-TREES. 



Fruit-trees, when well trained, either on walls or as standards, are 

 quite a feature in any garden. They are at all times pleasing, when 

 pruned, in flower, and in fruit. The taste for hardy-fruit culture is 

 greatly on the increase, if we may form an estimate by the thousands 

 of handsome trees annually sent out by our leading nurserymen, and 

 that find their way, in no small numbers, even north of the Grampians. 

 We are frequently asked by farmers and amateurs to give them the 

 names of a few good Apple-trees, and to tell them how they should be 

 pruned; for they add, " we do not like large trees." Should this come 

 under the notice of any similarly situated, we advise them to order 

 any or all of the foUoAving sorts : Stirling Castle, Lord Suffield, Hill's 

 Seedling, Cellini, Maiden's Blush, Ecklinville, Potts' Seedling, Manks 

 Codling, Yellow Ingestrie, Winter Nonsuch, Oslin Pippin, and London 

 Pippin. The above-named kinds are well worth growing : they are 

 hardy, healthy, and free-bearing. The amateur should order the trees 

 early in the autumn, and be particular not to plant them deep ; give 

 each a panful of water to settle the soil about them, and avoid tramp- 

 ing round their roots. Now, as regards pruning, we say, do not spare 

 the knife. If you want your trees well furnished to the ground, cut 

 back every shoot of the present year's growth to 6 inches. If you wish 

 your trees to develop themselves outward, cut to an outside bud ; if 

 there is a vacant space on the right or left hand side, then cut to that 

 bud accordingly. Clear away all growths having an inward tendency ; 

 do not allow any shoot to come in contact with or cross over another ; 

 keep the centres of the trees or bushes open, and in a few years they 

 will assume a circular form, and may be grown to a considerable height 

 according to the taste of the cultivator : when so treated, the fruit is not 

 liable to be shaken by an untimely wind. If the soil is of a loamy 



