FRUIT-GARDENING. 13 



been deemed by some as different varieties, perhaps to the 

 number of nearly two thousand. 



In preparing the following articles, the object has been to 

 furnish information which would entertain as well as instruct 

 the reader. Besides the authorities quoted, I have gleaned 

 from those inexhaustible treasures to horticulturists, Loudon's 

 Encyclopaedia of Plants, and that of Gardening ; but on account 

 of the brevity necessarily observed throughout this work, it 

 has been found impracticable to give many entire extracts. 

 Suffice it to say, that the historical facts are generally collected 

 from these sources. 



TRAINING AND PRUNING FRUIT-TREES AND VINES. 



In training and pruning fruit-trees and vines, particular at- 

 tention is required. To supply a tree with a sufficiency of 

 vegetable juices, there must necessarily be living bark and 

 wood in an uninterrupted succession from the root to the 

 extremities of the branches. Pruning, therefore, is useful to 

 remedy any defect, as well as to take off superfluous wood, 

 and prevent unnecessary waste of the sap. Pruning may be 

 performed at different seasons of the year, according to the 

 kinds of fruit, which will be shown under each head as we 

 proceed. 



In the spring or summer pruning, be careful not to destroy 

 the germs of future fruits ; but merely remove all unserviceable 

 sprigs. In the winter season, make your selection from the 

 wood-shoots of the preceding year; and keep those which 

 appear the most healthy, and cut away those which seem 

 redundant. Beginners had better prefer the spring, as the 

 buds will then be a guide for them to go by. But this busi- 

 ness must not be delayed too late in the season, as some kinds 

 of trees and vines are apt to bleed from being pruned untime- 

 ly. When the sap rises in Grape Vines, before the wound is 

 healed, bleeding ensues, and it is not easily stopped. When 

 this happens, sear the place, and cover it with melted wax, or 



