SEC?. Xir. OF PRUNING. 



but a little shortened towards autumn, as in August, 

 because they would put out a number of useless and 

 strong side-shoots, if cut before. 



-The side-shoots, i. e. those little ones put out by 

 the eyes that are formed for next year, are com- 

 monly directed to be immediately displaced by rub- 

 bing off, as soon as they appear ; and if the vine is 

 large, and the shoots slender, it is very proper ; but 

 if otherwise, their being left to grow awhile (so as 

 not to get too rude and crowding) is rather an ad- 

 vantage, in detaining the sap from pushing the shoots 

 out immoderately long ; and when these are taken 

 off, the lower eye of each may be left with the same 

 view. But the side shoot that proceeds from the top 

 of each shortened branch, should be left on, and 

 when it gets long, then shortened down to an eye or 

 two. 



In order to fruitfulness, vines will need dressing 

 with some sort of manure, for though they grow in 

 vineyard countries on rocky hills, and in very shallow- 

 soils, and have done so on some chalky, hot, gravelly 

 hills in England, yet some warm manure they must 

 generally have applied, or expect little good fruit. 



Some people are very fond of exposing the fruit 

 of the vine to the full sun, by stripping off leaves; 

 but this should not be practised till the bunches have 

 attained their proper size, needing only to be ripen- 

 ed, and even then but tittle should be done in this 

 way; for the loss of leaves is an injury to every 



plant. 



***### 



Fig trees are best pruned early in October, (cut- 

 ting the leaves off) but the more usual time is early 

 in spring, as after an autumn cutting (if late) they 

 are apt to die down ; but if not completely pruned 

 at this time, let, at least, stragglers be taken out, and 



