SECT, xi r. OF\ PRUNING. 



makes them tender. These covenogs are to remain 

 till the frosts are judged to be over, and then let 

 them be covered up at night, and not by day, for a 

 week or two, to harden them by degrees. 



But jig trees will mostly survive hard winters, 

 when in standards, without covering ; and though 

 shoots trained to a wall are tenderer, yet peasehaulm 

 hung close among the branches (at the approach of 

 sharp frosts) will preserve them. Tiiis sort of pro- 

 tection, as affording plenty of air, is by many good 

 gardeners preferred to the more common practice of 

 matting. But if mats were contrived to roll up and 

 down, or kept a little distance from the tree, so as 

 to give more or less air, as the weather is, the health 

 and fruitfulness of the tree would be better insured, 

 for too close (and as it commonly happens in conse- 

 quence too long) covering is injurious to both. Fig 

 trees that have been close covered are often hurt by 

 an early uncovering, and yet the spring air, as soon 

 as possible, is desirable. 



It is worthy consideration and trial, whether fig 

 trees, against a good wall, would not do best on a 

 trellis, as thus, if they have sufficient heat, they 

 would not be forced into wood, which they are apt 

 to have too much of. In this way they might be 

 protected in winter, by tucking in branches of ever- 

 greens, fern, &c. 



PEARS come next under our consideration, as a 

 few of the best sorts are a good wall fruit. 



A young pear tree, being planted against a wall 

 in autumn, should not be cut down till spring^ when 

 the head is to be reduced according to the goodness 

 of tlie root, arid so as to lay a proper foundation for 

 covering the wall. If it has a bad root, all the shoots 

 ./should come off, and only the stem be left, with a 



M 



