236 GARDENING. 



but, in doing this, we must be careful to brush up- 

 ward and outward, and never in the opposite direc- 

 tions, as in that case we could not fail to injure the 

 retained buds. 



Thinning the fruit is also an important operation ; 

 since, if properly managed, it has the direct effect 

 of improving both the size and the quality of what 

 is left, while, at the same time, it betters the condi- 

 tion of the tree, and adds greatly to its longevity. 

 Few persons have been such negligent observers as 

 not to have remarked the proneness in apricot, nec- 

 tarine, peach, and plum trees, to set more fruit than 

 they are able to ripen. It is true that this exces- 

 sive bearing will in some degree cure itself, but al- 

 ways at the expense of the tree and of the fruit it 

 actually ripens ; whence the economy of anticipa- 

 ting nature, and relieving her from the labour of 

 sustaining a useless and abortive progeny. But, 

 as in the case of superfluous leaves, this thinning 

 should be performed cautiously and at different 

 times. " If the fruit be thickly set over particular 

 parts of the tree only, begin by taking off one half 

 from such parts ; and if every part of the tree be 

 crowded, take off the same proportion from the 

 whole." Revise it again in June, and finally in Ju- 

 ly ; taking off, at each of these revisions, such as 

 may be usefully spared. On healthy and full-bear- 

 ing trees, one apple of large size to every square 

 foot of the superficial contents of the tree, is con- 

 sidered a just proportion ; that is, a space of fifteen 

 feet by twelve may be allowed to ripen two hundred 

 apples ; and if the fruit be small, this proportion may 

 be increased a third part.* " Many persons," says 

 Nicol, " may think that thinning to this extent will 

 be excessive ; but I wish such to be convinced of 

 the propriety of doing so by comparison. If they 

 have two trees of a kind, healthy and well-loaded, 



* Encyclopaedia of Gardening. 



