40 THE ORCHARD. [JAN. 



hartshorn, or of sal ammoniac. This mixture being apt to run, 

 consistency may be given it, by mixing it with either pounded chalk, 

 or whiting. 



The above composition will be found eminently useful, as no worm 

 of any kind, can live near its influence, and no evil whatever will 

 arise to the trees from its poisonous quality ; it yields to the growth 

 of the bark, and affords a complete protection to the parts against 

 the influence of the weather. 



A solution of corrosive sublimate, made as directed under the 

 head Orchard next month, will be found the most effectual wash, that 

 can be applied to peach and other trees, for the destruction of the 

 worm which so generally annoys them. 



Those who wish to apply Forsythe's, or Barnes's compositions, 

 will find instructions, both for making and applying them, under 

 the head Orchard in March. 



When pruning is judiciously clone, fruit-trees will come into 

 bearing sooner, produce more abundantly, and continue in vigour 

 for nearly double their common age. No branch of your orchard 

 trees should ever be shortened, unless for the figure of the tree or 

 the reasons before mentioned, and then, it should be taken off* close, 

 as before observed, to where it was produced, or to a leading shoot. 

 The more the range of branches shoot circularly, a little inclining 

 upwards, the more equally will the sap be destributed, and the bet- 

 ter will the tree bear. The ranges of branches should not be too 

 near each other, that the fruit and leaves should all have their full 

 share of sun ; and where it suits, the middle of the tree should be so 

 free from wood, that no branch crosses another, but all the extre- 

 xneties point upwards. 



If any of your particularly valuable fruit-trees, are partly decay- 

 ed, or in a bad state of health, and that you wish to attempt their 

 restoration, by judicious pruning, and the application of good com- 

 position ; you must defer it till March, or when the sap begins to 

 ascend in spring ; which will be manifest by the swelling of their 

 buds ; then prune them, and apply the composition as directed in 

 March. 



I am not an advocate for much doctoring with old decayed or sickly 

 trees, but the reverse ; therefore recommend as the most preferable 

 way, to replace such, with young healthy trees, so soon as they 

 show strong symptoms of decay. Whenever you meet with a tree, 

 the fruit of which you esteem, propagate it immediately whilst in 

 health,by budding or grafting, 8cc. and if it should afterwards get into 

 a declined state, replace it with one of the same, or some other 

 good kind. Never propagate from a sickly tree, if you can welt 

 avoid it; for its disorder will be carried with the buds or grafts, and 

 in all probability will ultimately work their destruction. 



For the method of propagating fruit-trees, &c. by budding OF 

 inoculation, see the Nursery in July,- 



