OF FIGS* 195 



When the branches have been suffered to run up 

 leaving the bottom quite naked, you should cut 

 out every other branch as near to the ground as 

 you can, which will furnish the wall with fine young 

 wood : observing to stop the ends of the shoots in 

 the beginning of June ; this will cause them to 

 throw out side-shoots which will bear fruit the 

 next Summer. By that time you will have plenty 

 of fine wood ; you may then cut down the rest cf 

 the old branches that were left the preceding year, 

 observing to prune them about the same time as 

 you pruned last year : always remember to pinch 

 off the ends of the strongest shoots, except the 

 leading ones, at the top bud. 



When you prune in the Spring, never shorten 

 the shoots, as the fruit is produced near tije tops. 

 There will be a great many fine short side and 

 foreright shoots, which should never be cut off* 

 but when they are decayed. These shoots will 

 ripen much better than the long strong ones, and 

 will not be so liable to be killed by the frost in 

 Winter. By following this method, you will have 

 the trees covered with fruit from the top to the 

 bottom of the walls, instead of having a few fruit 

 only at the top, which is the case when the com- 

 mon method of pruning is practised. 



When the Figs are about the size of small Nut- 

 megs, you should pinch off the point of the top 

 bud with your finger and thumb, or cut it with a 

 sharp pen-knife; and always remember to use the 

 powder, wherever you cut or pinch, to stop the 



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