OF FRUIT TREES. 71 



the bearing wood robbed of part of its sustenance, and 

 the natural life of the tree unnecessarily shortened ; 

 while the superfluous wood, which is the cause ofthis 

 mischief, places the tree in perpetual danger, by giv- 

 ing the winds additional power over it, and is injuri- 

 ous to the bearing wood, by retaining the damps, and 

 preventing a due circulation of air. The underhang- 

 ing boughs weigh down especially when loaded with 

 leaves, the fruit bearing branches they are preying up* 

 on, giving them a drooping habit, or at least prevent- 

 ing their taking, as they ought and otherwise would, 

 an ascending direction ; while those which grow 

 within the head are equally injurious in crossing and 

 chafing the profitable branches. The outer surface 

 only is able to mature fruit properly. Every inward 

 and every underling branch ought therefore to be re- 

 moved. It is no uncommon sight to see two or three 

 tiers of boughs pressing down hard, one upon anoth- 

 er, with their twigs so intimately interwoven that, 

 even when their leaves are off, a small bird can scarce- 

 ly creep in among them. Trees thus neglected ac- 

 quire, through a want of ventilation and exercise, a 

 runty, stinted habit, and the fruit they bear becomes 

 of a crude, inferiour quality. By some, we are ad- 

 vised never to suffer apple trees to begin to head short 

 of six or eight feet, for the convenience of passing un- 

 der them in ploughing, and to admit the warming and 

 fertilizing influence of the sun and air to the under- 

 growth. But the horizontal and drooping branches 

 are always the most productive of fruit, and this is 

 less liable to be shaken off by the wind, and is more 

 conveniently gathered by hand. Those who cultivate 

 an orchard for the benefit of the fruit, must make the 

 undergrowth a secondary consideration. 



