56 



FRUIT GARDEN, 



in the air than when nailed close to the wall ; a weak shoot 

 should therefore be left free, whilst a stronger antagonist 

 should be restrained. A shoot diverging only slightly 

 from the perpendicular will, other things being equal, ob- 

 tain a more copious supply of sap than one that is laid out 

 horizontally, or is deflected downwards. A luxuriant 

 shoot may be retarded for some time, by having its tender 

 extremity pinched off, and a weaker brother thus allowed 

 to overtake it. By these and other expedients, which will 

 suggest themselves to an attentive horticulturist, and by 

 the prudent use of the knife, it will be easy to execute the 

 following forms, which, on account of their simplicity and 

 general excellence, we select out of many to be found 

 detailed in works on gardening. 



The horizontal form (Fig. 6) has long been a favorite in 

 this country, having been strongly recommended in the 

 excellent work of Mr. Hitt.* There is one principal 

 ascending stem, from which the branches depart at right 

 angles, at intervals of ten inches or a foot. In order to 

 produce this form, the vertical shoot is, in trees of ordi- 



Fig. G. 



*~f J*- 1 



Treatise on Fruit-Trees, by Thomas Hitt, 8vo. 1756. 



