6P FRUIT TREES. 47 



above the bud to be nourished. If the stock be large, 

 amputate the principal branches ; and the consequence 

 will be an immediate bursting of all the latent buds, 

 together with the inoculated one. As the inoculated 

 branches multiply, diminish the original one till noth- 

 ing remains but the new tree. From this simple treat- 

 ment, the buds will extend, if inserted earl}', many 

 feet with numerous branches the same summer, and be 

 prepared to produce fruit the ensuing year, and in 

 some instances blossoms appear the same season. 

 These buds so early introduced, will acquire strength 

 sufficient- to resist the frost and cold of the ensuing 

 winter, equally well with the engrafted scion. It is 

 strongly recommended by Mr. Forsyth, as soon as the 

 incision is made and the bud or graft inserted, to rub 

 on with the finger or brush, some of his composition 

 before the wrapping strings are tied on, then cover 

 the strings all over with the composition as thick as 

 it can be laid on with a brush, and this he thinks, is 

 preferable to the clay composition. It is important to 

 observe as a rule, not to slacken too soon the wrapping 

 strings, and if the bark of the stock is found to spread 

 open, the strings should be reapplied and suffered to 

 remain some weeks longer, that the young bud may be 

 secured from the sun and air, until it obtains a firm 

 support in the stock. 



NURSERY PRUNING. 



Young trees properly pruned in the nursery, will, 

 it is said, com to bearing sooner, and continue in vig- 

 our for nearly double the common time. All super- 

 fluous or rambling branches should be taken off annu- 

 ally, and only three or four leading shoots be left to 

 every head. Thus managed, the trees will not re- 

 quire to be lopped for a considerable time ; and as 

 they will have no wounds open in the year when trans- 



