SECT. XII. OF PRUNING. l5S 



are often hurt by an early uncovering, and yet the 

 fpring air, as foon as poihble, is dehrable. 



It is worthy confederation and trial, whether fig 

 trees, again ft a good wall, would not do beft on a 

 trellis, as thus, it they have furficient heat, they would 

 not be forced into wood, which they are apt to have too 

 much of. In this way they might be protected in 

 winter, by tucking in branches of evergreens, fern, 



Pears come next under our confideration, as a few 

 c».f the belt forts are a good wall fruit. 



A young pear tree, being planted againft a wall in 

 autumn, mould not be cut dawn till fpring, when the 

 head is to be reduced according to the goodnefs of the 

 root, and fo as to lay a proper foundation for covering 

 the wall. If it has a bad root, ail the (hoots mould 

 come off, and only the ftem be lett, with a few eyes to 

 form new (hoots, as was directed for peaches, &c. But 

 generally fome of the 'hoots are to be left, with due 

 Shortening, only taking it as a rule, that it is not proper 

 to leave much wood on; but to prune down freely, in 

 order to the putting out llrong (hoots for parent 

 branches. . See heading damn, under the directions for 

 efpalier pruring. 



The. firm of pear trees is to be governed by the 

 wall. If the fpace allowed the tree is low and long, 

 it mud of courfe be trained perfectly horizontal; but 

 if there is room above, and a deficiency of length, the 

 form becomes more erect : Yet even in this cafe, the 

 lower and more horizontal branches -mould be ,-d lowed 

 to get the ftart a year er-two, before the middle is per- 

 mitted to fill, which ought not to have any ov'ej ftrong 

 .wood, left it run away with the ftrength oithe tree, and 

 keep the extremities weak. Tram the branches at 

 length, without (hortening, and keep them at from fix 

 to. eight inches diftance,. according to the fize of the 



H £ fruit ; 



