JAN.] PRUNING WALL-TREES. 191 



walls and espaliers ; though in the latter way they 

 are seldom planted, particularly apricots ; and cher- 

 ries and plums are found to do better as standards 

 ©r buzelars. I shall therefore consider these trees 

 as being trained in the former manner. 



The principal branches may be arranged at the 

 distance of eight or nine inches on a medium, ac- 

 cording to their strength ; taking as the extremes^ 

 six and ten. Aged trees of all these kinds * are 

 apt to form their spurs in large clusters, which in 

 this case ought to be neatly thinned out ; chiefly 

 cutting away the parts farthest from the wall, and 

 retaining those placed nearest to it, that the fruit 

 produced on them may be benefited by its influence. 

 Spurs of apricots in particular, and some of the 

 finer sorts of plums, that are placed at a distance 

 from the wall> although they may blossom very well, 

 and even set their fruit, yet seldom ripen them ; e- 

 specially in a bad climate, or a bad season. 



If, therefore, the tree be in a healthy state, and 

 if there be an appearance of plenty of fruit-buds on 

 the shoots and branches of last and tlu3 firmer year, 

 the extended spurs may be very much thi. TiC 1 away; 

 as the fruit prod iced on such shoots as can l-c) laid 

 close to the w^^.ll, v.iil be much superior, i- >. as to 



* I might here except the More-Prvvk apricot, atri 'J12 Morella 

 cherry, which bear chiefly on the )'oung shoots of k'.^^t yc .r. and 

 on close buds or spurs, formed on the two year old wood. 'J iiese, 

 particularly the latter, should be trained much in t^'C mnner of 

 Peaches. ; which see, farther onwards. 



