FEB.] THE FRUIT-GARDEN. 129 



In pruning these trees, observe, as directed last month, that as 

 the same branches or bearers remain many years in a proper fruit- 

 ful state, continue them trained close and straight to the wall, or 

 espalier, not shortening their ends, but still continue training each 

 at full length as far as the limited space admits, and laying them in 

 about four, five, or six inches asunder. 



In the next place, observe, that if the branches be any where 

 much crowded ; that is, if the bearing or principal branches are 

 closer than four, five, or six inches from one another, some should 

 be pruned out : observing, in this case, to take off such as are 

 worst situated, and particularly such as appear to be the most toi- 

 likely to bear, by being either worn out, or, at least, not well fur- 

 nished with fruit-spurs, as mentioned last month. Likewise ob- 

 serve, that when necessary to make room in any particular part of 

 the tree, to train more regularly any eligible branches which are 

 evidently well adapted for bearing ; room must be made for them, 

 by cutting out such barren branches as above described ; and in any 

 trees where the general branches are trained considerably too close, 

 and crowding in a confused irregularity, let some of the most un- 

 serviceable and irregular-growths be cut out in a thinning order, in 

 different parts of such trees ; to make room for training the other 

 more useful and eligible branches, in a proper expansion at regular 

 distances. 



When any old or large branches are to be taken out, let them be 

 cut off close to the places from whence they arise, or to any eligible 

 lateral branches which they support, and that you shall think conve- 

 nient to leave ; in cutting off either old or young branches, never 

 leave any stumps. 



After cutting out any large branches, let such as remain near that 

 part be unnailed, or unbound, in order to be brought higher or low- 

 er, as you shall see necessary, to train them all at equal distances : 

 or when there are several large branches to be taken out in different 

 parts, the whole tree should be unnailed or unbound ; then you can 

 more readily train the general branches and bearers in exact order. 



Next, let it be observed, that where a supply of wood is wanted, 

 leave some of the best situated of last summer's shoots, such as direct- 

 ed to be retained in the summer pruning, to fill up the vacancies j 

 and generally leave a leading one at the end of each branch, where 

 you have room to train them. But all others of the last year's 

 shoots, not wanted for the above purpose, should every one be cut 

 off close to the places from whence they proceed, leaving no spurs 

 but what are naturally produced. The proper fruit spurs are such 

 as were described last month, being produced on the sides and ends 

 of the branches, short, robust, and from about half an inch to an inch 

 or two in length. 



Let these fruit-spurs be well attended to in pruning, carefully 

 preserving all those of a fresh, plump, robust growth ; but those of 

 a worn-out or rugged unsightly appearance, or that project consi- 

 derably long and irregular from the front of the branches in a fore- 

 right direction, should generally be displaced, in order to preserve 



