398 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [MAY 



growing crops, should be always kept free from weeds, from the mo- 

 ment they appear above ground till grown to their full size. A small 

 hoe may be applied where it will answer, but where not, hand-weeding 

 must be practised. 



WATERING. 



Watering in dry weather is very necessary, but especially to the 

 newly transplanted crops, whether young seedlings, or plants of larger 

 growth finally transplanted, such as cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuces, 

 celery, &c. A plentiful watering should be given to each plant im- 

 mediately after planting out, and repeated occasionally till all have 

 taken root and begin to grow. Most of the young seedling plants 

 will require it now and then, till they have established their roots, 

 and extended them to a sufficient depth to be out of the power of 

 drought. 



Water should generally be given late in the afternoon, or very early 

 in the morning, but the former is preferable, that the plants may 

 have as much benefit from it as possible before any part is exhaled 

 by the heat of the ensuing day. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



WALL TREES. 



In the early part of this month look over your wall trees, and 

 where you perceive a superabundance of young and unnecessary shoots 

 appearing, either rub, nip, or cut them clean off close to whence they 

 were produced, being particular to leave a plentiful supply of such 

 as are good and well placed ; and when of due growth, train them in 

 at full-length, close and regular. The long fore-right shoots, that 

 is, such as project directly towards the front, ought generally to be 

 displaced, except where some are wanted for laying in, to fill up va- 

 cant places ; and likewise, any extraordinary vigorous growths arising 

 in the middle of the tree, unless where necessary to be preserved for 

 similar purposes. 



Where any considerable opening appears, and that but one or two 

 shoots offer in such place, you should, after these have grown about 

 a foot long, shorten them to three or four eyes, and they will soon 

 after shoot out again, probably one from each bud, to furnish the 

 vacancy. 



Be very particular as to apples, pears, plums, and cherries, not 

 to shorten or rub off such advancing buds as nature has intended for 

 fruiting-spurs, which are very distinguishable by their short thick 

 growth. 



