Of Fruit-Gardens. 245 



regular, as one lower than the other, or both 

 on one Side, there muft be but one preferv'd 

 to begin the Formation of a fine Figure. 



It fometimes happens that a Tree will pro- 

 duce five, fix, or feven Branches the firft 

 Year 5 in which Cafe it is fufficient that three 

 or four of the beft be preferv'd 5 for the reft 

 muft be wholly taken away. And a Multi- 

 tude of Branches in the firft Year, is not al- 

 ways a Sign of Vigour, they fometimes pro- 

 ving weak, from whence you may conclude 

 there is an Infirmity in the Roots ^ though in 

 Pruning, generally, a. vigorous Tree cannot 

 have too many Branches, if they are well or- 

 dered, as a weak Tree can't well have too 



The Sap of all Trees muft be kept within 

 due Bounds for their Prefervation, and greater 

 Liberty is to be allow'd ftrong Trees than 

 weak ones 5 for which Reafon ail ftrong and 

 vigorous Branches are to be left of a greater 

 Length than feeble ones, and the Branches of 

 a fickly Tree are to be prun'd (horter, and to 

 be fewer in Number than thofe of an health- 

 ful Tree. And it is beft to prune weak Trees 

 early, that the Sap may not wafte it felf on 

 fuch Parrs as ought to be retrenched, Fruk* 

 Buds that are neareft the End of the Branches, 

 are ufually thicker and better fed than 0- 

 thers. 



In the pruning of Wall Fruit-Trees, all 

 Branches which ftioot diredly forward, are 

 to be cut off clofe to the Branch from whence 



R 3 ihey 



