SEASON FOR PRUNING. 51 



being planted, being careful that it is per- 

 formed (as already observed) before the rising 

 of the sap. 



Where there is an extensive range of wall 

 trees it necessarily requires a considerable 

 time to prune them, the method I pursue is, 

 first to prune Peach, Nectarine, and Apricot 

 trees, then any of the other kinds of fruit 

 trees upon a south aspect, the next those 

 upon the east and west aspects, and lastly 

 those upon the north aspect. Particular di- 

 rections for pruning each sort, are set down 

 in the instructions for the treatment of the 

 kind. 



It will be proper in this place to caution -x 

 pruners of wall trees against an error which 

 is practised by many, to their discredit, to a 

 waste of walling, and to the injury of the 

 trees; (this particularly applies to Peach and \ 

 Nectarine trees.) / 



The error I mean is, that by unskilfulA 

 pruning, a tree becomes almost destitute 

 of young bearing wood near to the centre 

 or origin of the main branches, this is 

 very frequently to be seen in the kinds 

 of trees described, after they have been 

 planted for twelve or fourteen years, and 

 when they ought to be in their greatest per- 

 fection. Trees that have been planted and 

 trained for such a length of time, and have 

 had all the advantages arising from a suitable 

 soil, I have observed to have branches en- 



