CHAP. IV VILLA GARDENING 253 



this should be done if fine fruits are desired. As soon as it can be 

 ascertained which fruits are taking the lead, the trees should be 

 gone over, and all deformed imperfect fruits removed. It is better 

 to have only three or four dozen fine handsome Pears or Apples on a 

 tree than a much larger number of worthless specimens, as the latter 

 only exhaust the trees uselessly. The crop may, if necessary (and it 

 very often is, as few people have the courage to do enough thinning), 

 be gone over a second time, and a final selection made. This can 

 be deferred till August, as some of the fruits may be large enough 

 for baking or stewing, and tlie thinnings may be utilised. 



Winter Management. — What are the objects sought to be 

 obtained by pruning 1 We ought to be able to give an intelligent 

 reason for the faith that is in us, and the acts which spring from it. 

 In gardening, as in other things, this is an age of scepticism. Some 

 say, " Do not head back yoiu: newly-planted trees — you are only 

 wasting time ;" others say, "Pruning is a delusion and a snare, 

 if not worse ; therefore do not prune at all." The object of i^run- 

 ing is to facilitate fn;itfulness. If it does not build up a handsome 

 fertile tree, then it has been wrongly conceived and badly executed. 

 I think it might be demonstrated that all fruit-bearing trees, even 

 the Oak, might in their early life be improved by judicious pruning. 

 In the case of the Oak the pruning should be directed to the 

 formation of a perfectly-balanced tree ; in short, to mend Nature 

 by relieving thfe leader from undue competition, and otherwise 

 equalising the flow of sap by rectifying the balance of the tree. A 

 somewhat similar principle should guide us in the management of 

 orchard trees, and especially is this needfid in early life. For the 

 most part the trees in a nursery are crowded together, and the 

 wood made under such conditions, although it may be strong and 

 healthy, is not so well adapted to form the base of a tree destined 

 for a long life as if each tree stood out singly. In all cases as 

 regards orchard trees I recommend heading back in the early 

 sjoring, just before the buds burst, the season after planting ; for in 

 no other way, in the majority of trees, can a good base be secured. 

 In doing this the very weak shoots may be cut very close home, 

 and the stronger shoots to foiu" eyes. When the eyes break disbud 

 the surplus ones, and the foundation of a handsome tree will be 

 laid, in most cases, without any further trouble. In succeeding 

 years the pruning will be chiefly confined to thinning out supei-flu- 

 mis branches, or those which are badly placed. Those wlio neglect 

 to prune will some day be landed in a difliculty, for good fruit can- 

 not be obtained without a certain amount of pruning. If proof of 

 this is necessary it may be found in hundreds of unpruned orchards. 

 All pruning should be done as soon after the leaves fall as possible. 



