FRUIT-TREES. 93 



becaufe, forfooth, it is too ftrong, is, I 

 think, afling counter to nature, and fpend- 

 ing fap unneceffarily J for, as the ftrength 

 of the wood, and the growing of the 

 branches too near each other, are entirely 

 owing to the winter cutting, if the branches 

 were then placed horizontally on the wall, 

 there would be no occafion to cut out {o 

 much in the fummer s and the fap which 

 the roots colIe6led from the earth, would 

 form new branches more fit for the pro- 

 duction of fruit, and in fuch places where 

 they might continue -, fo by this method the 

 trees will bear, and the walls will be co- 

 vered fooner than by any other. It may 

 be objefted, that leaving the branches to 

 fo great a length, as not being cut at all, 

 will weaken trees, or in other terms exhauft 

 the fap from the roots ; but the contrary 

 may be eafily proved. Admit both lides of 

 a tree have at firil an equal number of 

 branches, and let either of the fides be cut 

 at pleafure, and obferve, by the buds what 

 number of ihoots may be produced from 

 the remaining branches on that fide which 

 is cut fliort, then let whole branches be 

 left on the other fide, in proper places, and 



the 



