THINNING. 269 



variety very productive. He had observed that cer- 

 tain trees, which were rubbed so by the cart-wheels as to 

 be stripped of a portion of their buds in the winter season, 

 instead of being injured thereby, were more productive 

 than those which retained all of their abundant spurs and 

 blossoms, and which, nevertheless, often bore sparsely. 

 Improving upon this hint, he has since planted some such 

 varieties in close rows or hedges, which he trims annu- 

 ally with the shears to keep them within bounds, and at 

 the same time to diminish the amount of blossoms. Dis- 

 budding is systematically pursued in the European fruit- 

 gardens, and we have elaborate directions for the season 

 and mode of performing the operation, which is extensively 

 practiced, particularly on the trees that are grown as es- 

 paliers, and those kept in orchard houses. If neglected, 

 the trees become exhausted by over-production ; and the 

 failure of production by the fruit-spurs which results, 

 causes vacant spaces upon the tree, which are afterward, 

 with difficulty, restored to a profitable condition. 



Another method, and the one usually pursued by those 

 who practice thinning, is, to go over their trees after blos- 

 soming, while the fruit is still small, and systematically 

 remove such a proportion as they may deem sufficient to 

 relieve them of the surplus; and while so doing, they 

 select for removal all the inferior specimens. This is found 

 to pay very well in the increased size, appearance, and 

 flavor of those that remain, and is practiced by all good 

 horticulturists. 



It is found in some varieties that the thinning may be 

 done when the fruit has attained to one-half its usual size, 

 so that 1 it may be marketed, and yet those which are left, 



