SECT. XII. OI PRUNING. 167 



the fhortening is of no confequence, and the defired 

 form may be freely provided for at pleafure. 



The Jcafon for pruning fhrubs is generally reckoned 

 the fpring, but autumn is better, if not too near win- 

 ter; as at this time, fharp weather might occafion 

 fome of the forts, (as jaf mines and honey/uckles) to die 

 down.- The time of flowering, mull in fome meafure 

 direct the time of pruning. Shrubs that flower in 

 winter, (as the Iauru/h'nus,) fliould be cut in fpring. 

 Thofe that flower in fpring may be pruned immediately 

 after their blow, or in fummer. Thofe that flower 

 in fummer fliould be pruned in autumn ; and thofe that 

 flower in autumn fliould be pruned either foon ader 

 flowering, or in fpring. 



Be fure to take off in time, i.e. as foon as difco- 

 vered, all fuckers and over itrong {hoots from fhrubs ; 

 for by their luxuriancy they greatly impoverifh the 

 proper fized branches, which are the fruitful ones, 

 and fuch large fappy wood looks very unfightly. 



The height of fhrubs in certain fkuations, is ma- 

 terial, and to provide for this, the art of pruning is in 

 a great meafure competent. To keep them low, cutting 

 down is of courfe neceflary ; but it will be well alfo 

 to make the foil poor if too rich. To encourage them 

 to mount, keep trimming off clofe the lower branches, 

 and improve the ground by digging and drefling occa- 

 fionally. 



Fioiuering Jhrubs fliould be better attended to, as to 

 pruning, than they commonly are ; for we fometimes 

 fee them either wholly neglected, or cut down at ran-- 

 dom, perhaps only fneared into a little form; and fo 

 they make a return quite fuitable to the defert of the 

 owner for his neglect. To be crouding full of branches, 

 prevents the production of flowers. Shrubs fliould not 

 be choaked up from fun and air, either in themfelves, 

 or by their neighbours ; The larger plants mull not be 

 differed to overfhadow the lefs, if poilible. 



The 



