136 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [Feb. 



As you proceed, let the supply of reserved shoots be shortened, 

 each according to its strength. Shoots of a vigorous growth should 

 be shortened but a little; that is, you may cut oft' about one-fourth 

 of the original length; those of a moderate growth should be 

 shortened more in proportion by cutting oft" about one-third; for 

 instance, a shoot of eighteen inches should be shortened to twelve 

 or thereabouts, and observe the same proportion according to the 

 different lengths of the shoots. 



But for the more particular method of pruning these trees, see 

 the work of the fruit garden in January, page 29. 



Pruning of Apples and Pears, fyc. 



Prune apples, pears, plums and cherries, against walls or espa- 

 liers; and, if possible, let the whole of them be finished this month. 



In pruning these trees, observe, as directed last month, that as 

 the same branches or bearers remain many years in a proper fruit- 

 ful state, continue them trained close and straight to the wall or 

 espalier, not shortening their ends, but still continue training each 

 at full length as far as the limited space admits, and laying them 

 in about four, five, or six inches asunder. 



In the next place observe, that if the breaches be any where 

 much crowded, that is, if the bearing or principal branches are 

 closer than four, five, or six inches from one another, some should 

 be pruned out: observing, in this case, to take off" such as are 

 badly situated, and particularly such as appear to be the most 

 unlikely to bear, by being either worn out, or, at least, not well 

 furnished with fruit-spurs, as mentioned last month. Likewise 

 observe, that when necessary to make room in any particular part 

 of the tree, to train more regularly any eligible branches which 

 are evidently well adapted for bearing; room must be made for 

 them by cutting out such barren branches as above described; and 

 in any trees where the general branches are trained considerably 

 too close, and crowding in a confused irregularity, let some of the 

 most unserviceable and irregular growths be cut out in a thinning 

 order, in different parts of such trees, to make room for training 

 the other more useful and eligible branches, in a proper expansion, 

 at regular distances. 



When any old or large branches are to be taken out, let them be 

 cut off" close to the places from whence they arise, or to any eligible 

 lateral branches which they support, and that you shall think con- 

 venient to leave; in cutting oft' either old or young branches never 

 leave any stumps. 



After cutting out any large branches, let such as remain near 

 that part be unnailed or unbound, in order to be brought higher or 

 lower, as you shall see necessary, to train them all at equal dis- 

 tances: or when there are several large branches to be taken out in 

 different parts, the whole tree should be unnailed or unbound, 

 then vmi can more readily train the general branches and bearers 

 in exact order. 



Next, let it be observed, that where a supply of wood is wanted, 



