SOO Remarks on pruning Apple Trees, 



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This incumbrance has wasted a great part of the sap, 

 which would otherwise have increased the regular 

 growth. The wounds occasioned by this lopping can- 

 not soon be covered with new bark, and in the mean 

 time often produce a decay. Sometimes this neglect 

 is continued in part, when the trees are removed from 

 the nursery, because some persons regret the loss of 

 branches which would bear the same or the next year, 

 and others cannot foresee the bad consequences of 

 keeping them, which will increase with their growth, 

 and force a much worse amputation. The head of eve- 

 ry tree should begin at least six feet from the ground ; 

 and of those whose branches are sloping, eight. When 

 the head has been formed so low as five feet, but is 

 well grown, it may be continued, but then its branch- 

 es ought to be trimmed near the stem, and by some 

 contrivance be enabled to rise. The head ought to have 

 but one leader, because two seldom succeed, as the 

 inward lateral boughs will cross each other. Its branch- 

 es should be equidistant, and not more than six, nor 

 less than four. If the tree has ample root, and a strong 

 body, the head may retain an upper tier, provided it 

 is two feet above the first ; but if not, it is best to leave 

 only such upper branches, that have this height, and 

 form the others from good buds. It is a bad practice 

 to shorten the top or the branches, except a little when 

 they are too slender for their length ; by excess, it 

 rnay be very difiicult to procure a good leader ; the 

 branches will grow bushy, and be later in bearing, be- 

 cause the first fruit comes towards their ends^ 



Trees are not to be kept too long in the nursery, 

 b.ecause the small space allotted for them will not per- 



