FRT7IT TREES IN THE NURSERY. 261 



injures the upper part of the trees, which may become so 

 affected as never to recover afterwards ; therefore, great 

 care should be taken not to occasion such injury ; and 

 when accidents happen, all due caution and application are 

 necessary to promote a healthy and vigorous growth. 



A young tree, likely to do well, should have roots nearly 

 corresponding to the branches ; at least, it should have one 

 strong root in a similar proportion to the bole of the tree, 

 with a proper distribution of branching fibres. Healthy 

 roots are always smooth and clear, the colour of them varies 

 a little according to the sort of the tree, but the older the 

 roots are, the darker the colour is. 



After the tree is taken up, be careful in conveying it to 

 the place where it is to be planted, so that the roots are not 

 chafed or rubbed. If trees are to be conveyed a consider- 

 able distance, they should be well guarded by straw, or 

 otherwise, in order to prevent injury. All damaged or bruised 

 roots should be pruned as soon as the tree is taken up, but 

 if it be necessary to prune away any sound good roots, such 

 pruning should be delayed until the time of planting. In 

 pruning away roots, always let them be finished by a clear 

 cut, and in a sloping direction, letting the slope be towards 

 the under stratum, so that the wet may not be allowed to 

 lodge upon the part so cut. AVhcn trees are planted at an 

 advanced season, in the Spring of the year, it will be neces- 

 sary to prune the tops ; and if trees are removed that have 

 been trained three or four years, and are not properly 

 supplied with young wood, they must be cut down either 

 wholly or partially, in order to obtain a sufficiency. In 

 practising this upon Apricot and Nectarine trees, &c., 

 always prune so as to have a leading shoot close below the 

 cut, as it is very rare they will push a shoot below, unless 

 there be a lead. This attention is not so particularly required 

 in the Pear, &c., as such will generally push forth shoots, 

 although no leading ones were left : but in all kinds, the 

 younger the wood is, the more certain arc shoots to be 

 produced. If a tree that has been under training for one or 

 two years, should only have one good strong leading shoot, 

 and two or three weaker ones which do not proceed from 



