304 FRUIT GARDEN DISPLAYED. 



fhoot, are advanced too confiderably in length 

 beyond all the others, prune down the faid 

 branch or branches, lefs or more, to feme 

 lower young branch or good (hoot, to remain 

 for a leader; and where the general branches 

 are too crouded, thin them regularly five or 

 , fix inches diftance, at leaft, at their extreme 

 parts, catting out alfo cafual crofs-placed and 

 low ftraggling growths, and reduce any long 

 ramblers ; as likewife, when any old branches 

 affume a worn-out ftate, or become of an un- 

 fruitful nature, or decayed, prune them down, 

 leaving I'ome advancing younger branch or 

 ilrong fnoot to fupply the place, if required; 

 and the general Oioots now retained, cither 

 leave intire, or fhorten but moderately, or 

 rather not at all, except where any leader, or 

 other flioot, is fingulariy long, or of a crooked 

 inclining growth, which may be fhortened 

 accordingly: but, except ,in thefe inftances, 

 it is more advifeable, agreeable to the above 

 rules, to leave them moiily at their full 

 length ; and tlms they will not run fo much 

 to wood in Summer, crouding the trees and 

 fruit, as is the cafe when the fhoots are gene- 

 rally (hortened. 



Obferve alfo to eradicate root-fuckers, and 

 prune up low lateral fhoots and branches; and 

 always keep the general branches moderately 

 thin and regular, and the middle of the trees 

 fomev-zhat open. They will thus continue 

 plentiful bearers, and the fruit will always be 

 larger and fintr in proportion. 



Or 



