57 



injures them to prune in frosty weather, or 

 when the sap begins to rise. Pruning is to 

 be avoided as much as possible, as it creates 

 useless shoots, and prevents the fruiting; 

 but if trees are becoming too full of branches, 

 which will be the case in espaliers, the better 

 way is to rub off the buds and shoots which 

 are irregularly produced, in the growing 

 season. All sorts of apples produce their 

 fruit upon cursions, or spurs, therefore it is 

 necessary to be careful not to cut off or 

 destroy them, as they continue to be fruitful 

 for several seasons. 



The apples intended to be preserved for 

 the winter should remain on the trees until 

 quite ripe, when they should be gathered in 

 dry weather, and placed in a heap for five or 

 six weeks, in order to sweat: they should 

 then be carefully wiped dry, and those that 

 are perfectly sound, packed in large jars or 

 boxes so as to be excluded from the air, 

 which will keep them sound and plump, and 

 retain their flavour. 



I have found the wood of old apple-trees, 

 when used as a fuel, produce a most agree- 

 able perfume. 



The various diseases to which the apple- 

 tree is subject, have occupied the attention 

 and the pen of some of our greatest natu- 



