FRUIT-GARDENING. 31 



GENERAL SUGGESTIONS ABOUT PRUNING. 



The GarcTner at work, ere the birds pipe a tune, 

 Each fruit-tree inspects, then commences to prune; 

 The insects destroying, on branches or root, 

 That injure the blossom, or live in the fruit 



As the season for pruning fruit-trees and vines commences 

 in the various parts of our country at different periods, accord- 

 ing to the climate, I would submit a few general remarks on 

 the subject, with a view to prepare the gardener for the per- 

 formance of the work in a skilful manner, and at the proper 

 season ; for be it remembered that untimely or injudicious 

 pruning may produce injury instead of benefit, and in many 

 cases defeat the real object of the operation. 



Having given ample directions for the cultivation of the 

 various species of fruit, I would recommend the novice to 

 peruse every article before he enters upon the work of the 

 garden. He will there discover that no single rule will apply 

 to every kind of fruit ; first, because the mode of bearing is 

 different in almost every distinct species ; secondly, because the 

 sap rises earlier and continues longer in the branches of some 

 species than in others ; and thirdly, because some trees, as the 

 Plum for instance, are apt to gum if pruned too soon in the sea- 

 son, and the grape-vine to bleed if delayed too long. For the 

 above, and other reasons that may be given, the gardener 

 should examine all his fruit-trees frequently, with his imple- 

 ments at hand ; and if circumstances will not admit of a general 

 pruning, he may cut off dead branches, and clear trees from 

 moss and canker, also search for the nests of insects, and 

 destroy them while in a torpid state. This will assist the 

 natural efforts of the trees in casting off the crude and undi- 

 gested juices, which, if confined in them, will in a short time 

 destroy them, or some of their branches. 



In pruning all descriptions of trees, some general rules may 

 be observed. In cutting out defective branches, prune close 

 to the healthy wood, and also shorten such shoots as have 



