FRUIT-TREES. 121 



CHAP. XXXIX. 



Pruning and Nailing of young Pear-Trees 

 that are weak upon Free-Stocks. 



IF trees be weak when taken from the 

 nurfery, or are become fo after tranf- 

 planting, the method which is both taught 

 and praflifed for their recovery, is to cut 

 their branches fhort and in proportion to 

 their ftrength. But I think the fhorten- 

 ing of branches only is no great help to 

 them, as it may occafion a greater number 

 than there was before to flioot forth 3 for 

 it may reafonably be expefted, that there 

 will two, and fometimes more, proceed 

 from each that was cut ; but if one fhoot 

 only proceed from each branch, they muft 

 confequently be the ftronger, for the fame 

 quantity of fap is collefted by the roots, 

 and conveyed through the vefTels, to thofe 

 buds that are adapted to make flicots, 

 and the fewer the buds are that receive it, 

 a greater quantity muft certainly enter into 

 them, and by it larger fhoots are form- 

 ed i for if the fame quantity of fap, that 

 3 enters 



