Jan.] PRUNING. 177 



ftrongeflt and moft promifing fiioot. If three or 

 four fhoots or branches be contending for the a- 

 fcendancy, they mould, in like manner, be lopped 

 off, leaving only the moft promifing. If any of 

 the branches which have been left further down 

 on the bole of the plant at former primings have 

 become very ftrong, or have extended their ex- 

 tremities far, they mould either be taken clean 

 off by the bole, or be fhortened at a proper dif- 

 tance from it ; obferving always to ihorten at a 

 lateral twig of confiderable length. It is of im- 

 portance that the tree be equally poifed; and 

 therefore if it have ftronger branches on the one 

 fide than the other, the ftronger mould either be 

 removed or be fliortened. 



Thus, a properly trained tree, under twenty 

 feet in height, mould appear tight and fpiral, from 

 within a yard or two of the ground to the upper 

 extremity , its ftem being furnifhed with a mo- 

 derate number of twigs and fmall branches, in 

 order to detain the fap, and circulate it more e- 

 qually through the plant. 



Trees of this fize, ftanding in a clofe planta- 

 tion, after being properly formed, will require 

 much lefs attention afterwards ; indeed, fubfe- 

 quent prunings will moftly confift in keeping their 

 leading (hoots fingle. From the want of air, their 

 lateral branches will not be allowed to extend, 

 but will remain as twigs upon the ftem. Thefe, 

 M however. 



