xxviii Instructions for Pruning, Budding, &rc. 



ny years growth ; fo that the fafefl: method to be taken 

 with thefe trees, is to lay their flioots horizontally (fee 

 fig. 18), and at fuch a diftance, branch from branch, as 

 will be fufficient for the well ripening of their fruit. 

 When wood is wanted to fill the walls, pinch the fhoots 

 in May, and during the growing feafon, pinch off" all 

 foreright flioots, (fee fig. 18, <j), and fuch as are pre- 

 fervcd muft be regularly trained; the Plum-tree will not 

 aHow the knife, on account of the quantity of gum that 

 is emitted on fuch occafions. 



Pruning. There is not any part of gardening of more 

 general ufe, nor is there any wherein there are more 

 pretenders, which muft ever be the cafe, when men take 

 up profefTions from cuflom, whofe principles are only to 

 be found in fludy, practice, and a careful purfuit of na- 

 ture, in that variety for which fhe is fo remarkable. In 

 the fcience of gardening or vegetation, many think it is 

 only requifite to be provided with a good knife, and that 

 a liberal ufe of it difplays their knowledge, which fhould 

 be confined to rendering trees more lafling, ornamental, 

 and fruitful, to obtain which a contrary prafiice is ne- 

 ceflary, as will appear in our direSions. 



1. To contribute to the healthful ftate of a tree all 

 ufelefs branches fhould be taken off in a proper feafon, 

 that the fap may not be ufelefly expended. 



2. To render a tree ornamental is to difpofe its branches 

 according to their flrength and fize, having a regard to 

 the largenefs of the leaf and fruit, that they may be 

 properly diflanced to receive the advantage of the fun 

 and air, by which not any confufion will appear, confe- 

 ipiently they will be rendered ornamental. 



3. To give a tree fruitfulnefs is to difpofe of her luxu-r 

 riances fo :)s to confine all her efforts of vegetation to the 

 thing r.ecefuiry, which will give a fair, well grown, and 

 well flavoured fruit, and in fuch abundance as is con- 

 llftent with her flrength, without exhaufling it. 



Thus far have we proceeded on the general principles 

 of this fcience, which we will now lead into practice ; 

 but firil make the following remark. 



Some think their trees have all the necefiary afTiflance 

 given them, if during the fummer they are kept to the 



wall. 



