NOV.] THE ORCHARD. 553 



Fig Trees. 



The more tender kinds of fig trees which are planted against 

 walls, or board fences, should now be gone over, and all fruit found 

 thereon, whether ripe or unripe, picked off; for these would rot in 

 winter, and injure the young branches intended for next years bear- 

 ing. 



At the same time, nail up close to the wall or fence all the prin- 

 cipal shoots, the better to secure them from the frost and power of 

 the wind; and if bass-mats are likewise nailed up, so as to cover the 

 trees, an important protection will be afforded thereby to the young 

 shoots. As to pruning, that should not h-i done, either in the middle 

 or Eastern states till March. See page 208. 



Fig-trees growing in the espalier way, may also be protected from 

 frost, by laying bass-mats over them, and making them fast, or 

 by laying boughs of pine or cedur up to them. It would also be pro- 

 per in a severe season to lay some long litter round the roots of the 

 trees. 



Pruning of Fruit Trees. 



Having in the Fruit -gar den, for October, expressed my opinion 

 respecting the pruning of fruit-trees at this season, it is unnecessary 

 to repeat it in this place. See page 515. 



THE ORCHARD. 



Planting^ We. 



THIS being an eligible period for planting of orchards on dry 

 ground, and indeed they never should be planted on a cold, wet, or 

 swampy soil, I refer you to the article Orchard in March* where you 

 will find ample instructions respecting the extent, aspect, situation, 

 and soil ; the preparation of the ground, the choice of trees and 

 method of planting, &c. all which are equally applicable in this 

 month as in that, and a reference thereto will at present supercede 

 the necessity of a repetition. 



Apples, pears, quinces, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, 

 apricots, and almonds may now be planted; also, walnuts, chesnuts, 

 filberts, persimmons, berberries, medlars, and every other kind of 

 hardy fruit-trees, agreeably to the directions given in March. 



Pruning. 



As you may now commence the pruning of apple and pear trees, 

 Sec. I would strongly recommend to your perusal at this time, the en- 

 tire of the article Orchard in January , beginning at page 38, and also 

 the same article in February ', page 133, 8cc. 



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