JAN.] THE FRUIT GARDEN. 3t 



shoots that may occur in particular parts of the trees, retaining the 

 reserved proper shoots mostly at their full length, for training as 

 above ; and they will thus in from one to two or three year's growth, 

 furnish natural fruit spurs for bearing ; but generally sooner in the 

 cherries than the plums, as some sort of cherries will probably bear 

 fruit the same year on the young shoots now trained in : the morella 

 in particular bears mostly on the one year old shoots. For observa- 

 tions thereon see November. 



And in the full trained trees of the above sorts, look carefully 

 over the general expansion; and where any occasional supply of 

 young wood appears necessary, select and retain some best- placed 

 proper shoots of last summer accordingly, either to furnish any pre- 

 sent vacancy, or to train in between the m'ain branches where it may 

 seem expedient, in order to be advancing to a bearing state, ready to 

 supply any apparent future occasion; but in the morella particularly, 

 above mentioned, retain always a general supply for principal bear- 

 ers : (see November :) and prune out all irregular and superabundant 

 shoots close to the mother branches ; and if casual worn-out or de- 

 cayed old unfruitful branches occur, let them now be cut out, retain- 

 ing young wood of proper growth, &c., to supply their place; pre- 

 serving also, in all vacant spaces, a supply of the best young shoots 

 at their natural length, as above advised, and a leading one to each 

 branch ; being careful to preserve all the short natural fruit spurs, 

 and cut away close any remaining naked stumps of former shortened 

 shoots : then, as soon as the tree is thus pruned, proceed to train in 

 all the proper shoots and branches to the wall or espalier, at their 

 full length as aforesaid, at the above mentioned distances: and all 

 those thus treated will in two or three years' time send out many 

 short shoots or fruit spurs, about half an inch or an inch in length ; 

 and from these spurs the fruit is always produced. 



These spurs generally appear first toward the upper part, or that 

 which was once the superior part of the one, two or three years old 

 branches ; and if shortening was to be practised, those parts would 

 consequently be cut away where the blossom-buds would have other- 

 wise first made their appearance. Therefore, in the course of prun- 

 ing apple, pear, plum, and cherry-trees, never shorten or top the 

 young shoots that are left for a supply of bearing wood, nor any of 

 the bearing branches, if there is room to extend them ; and they will 

 thus all gradually form themselves into a plentiful bearing state. 



But if shortening was generally practised to these kinds of fruit- 

 trees, as is the case with many pruners, it would prove their mani- 

 fest destruction in regard to preventing their fruitfulness : for in the 

 places where fruit-buds would otherwise naturally appear, there would 

 advance nothing but strong wood shoots ; so that the trees would be 

 continually crowded with useless and unfruitful wood. 



When, however, there is at any time a supply of wood wanted, 

 then shortening particular shoots may be proper, as observed above 

 for the apples and pears.* 



* The reader will also consult with advantage the pages of the Horticultur- 

 ist, and Barry's and Thomas 1 Fruit Books for remarks on pruning garden 

 and orchard trees. 



