JAN.] PRUNING WALL-TREE3. 1S9 



regulate their spurs, if much clustered, and to prune 

 away the superfluous breast-shoots made in summer, 

 if this have not already been done. 



Most kinds of pears make longer spurs than ap- 

 ples do, and they are also apt to grow more clus- 

 tered, particularly in old trees. Tliese should there- 

 fore be carefully thinned out ; cutting away all the 

 fore-right stubs, on which there are none but wood- 

 buds j retaining the fruit-buds only, more especial- 

 ly such as lie nearest to the wall. 



Apples often show fruit-buds on the bottom part 

 of the breast-shoots shortened in summer; in which 

 case, if the tree be thin of fruit-spurs, they are to^ 

 be retained, the better to ensure a crop. 



Some kinds of pears also produce fruit-buds in 

 this manner, particularly in good seasons ; and, of 

 course, under similar circumstances, they ought to 

 be retained ; but otherwise, let them be cut clean 

 off, that a profusion of useless breast-shoots may be 

 prevented from rising next surmner. 



Trees that are still in training, and have not yet 

 filled their spaces, require a different treatment. 

 Their piincipal and leading shoots require to be 

 shortened, in order to make tliem put out others to 

 fill the wall or rail. This shortening must be in 

 proportion to the strength of the shoots ; tl>at is, 

 strong shoots may be shortened one-third of tlreir 

 lengths ; weak shoots, one-half, or two-thirds ; and 

 very weak ones should be cut in to the second or 

 third bud. This chastisement will cause them to 

 put out plenty of branches in spring; out of which 

 a necessary number may be retained, whereof to 



