^ ^ 



274 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2* 



of the fame fize along with it ; and alfo, 

 never to drive nor fiiffer a fingle nail or 

 fhred to remain on any part of the tree, 

 that is not abfolutely wanted* 



It is common to tie efpalier trees with 

 willow Ihoots ; but I prefer tying with 

 ftrands of frefh matting. For I have of- 

 ten feen branches much injured by the 

 willow fhoots, when bearing hard againft 

 them, or if negleded to be cut away in 

 the Winter pruning ; thefe being of a hard 

 wirey fubftance, and lafting over year. 

 But in ufing matting, no danger of this 

 kind need be apprehended ; as the ftrands 

 are not only foft and pliable, but will not 

 laft above a year. 



Winter pruning and dreffing fhould be 

 performed in good time, that is, before 

 the buds begin to vegetate ; otherwife 

 they are in danger of being rubbed off 

 in the operation. In ordinary feafons^ 

 apricots, cherries, pears, and plums, fhould 

 be finifhed by the firft, and apples and 

 figs by the end of March. 



In horizontal training, it frequently 

 happens that the buds on the ft em do not 

 break regularly ; and fometimes a bud 



will 



