( 45) 
the trees, and the others to fill in the remaining part 
of the earth, mixed as above mentioned. It now only 
remains to fix short poles (technically called tutors) 
near them, to which they may be tied, and by means 
of which their true vertical position may be pre- 
served. 
The year after planting, and in the fasiith of Feb- 
ruary, when there is no circulation of sap, you will 
do well to begin to give to the heads of your young 
trees that form which you wish them ultimately to 
take. The more circular you make them the bet- 
ter, always taking care to lop off those branches 
which do already, or may hereafter, cross others hav- 
ing a proper direction. This proper direction will be 
generally horizontal, but with a slight curve ; an opi- 
nion requiring, perhaps, a little explanation. All 
strait branches produce what are usually termed 
gourmands, (or gluttons,) giving little if any fruit 
themselves, and exceedingly exhausting the tree. 
Curved branches, on the other hand, rarely produce 
gourmands; and when the season is favorable, give 
much fruit. |The observation of these facts, made 
long since, and probably growing out of the manage- 
ment of espaliers, first suggested the practice of 
bending strait branches by artificial means.. The ef- 
fect entirely justified the theory: these strait and 
barren branches, bent. into nearly half a circle,(1) 
changed their character with their shape, and became 
very productive. But there is a time for this, as for 
all other things, and unless the experiment be began 
| te 
(1) More than half a cirele will obstruct the circulation of sap and destroy the 
Umm. 
19 
