26 CHOICE OF TREES. 



In respect to pruning the tops of young 

 trees, I never do it at the time of planting 

 them, (unless they are sickly) providing they 

 are planted in autumn, but if they be plant- 

 ed in spring, and that season far advanced, 

 it will then be necessary. 



If trees are removed that have been trained 

 for three or four years, and are not properly 

 supplied with young wood, they must be cut 

 down, either wholly, or partially, in order to 

 obtain a sufficiency. In practising this upon 

 Peach and Nectarine trees, always prune so 

 as to have a leading shoot close below the 

 cut, as it is very rare they will push a shoot 

 below unless there be a lead. This attention 

 is not so particularly required in other kinds, 

 such as Apple, Pear, &c. as they will gene- 

 rally push forth shoots, although no leading 

 ones were left; but in all kinds the younger 

 the wood is, the more certain are shoots to be 

 produced. If a tree that has been under 

 training for one or two years, should have 

 only one good strong leading shoot, and two 

 or three weaker ones that do not proceed 

 from it, let the weak shoots be pruned clean 

 away, and shorten the strong one, from which 

 a handsome head may afterwards be formed. 



Espalier trees require attention in the same 

 particulars as are laid down for wall trees, 

 only the roots can be allowed to run on every 

 side, which cannot be done to wall trees. 



