FRUIT-TREES. 129 



an appearance but cf a fmail crop, then 

 fewer of the new made fhoots muft be 

 taken off, than when the crop Is large -, for 

 when a tree is in health, and has but httle 

 fruit upon it, as it fometimes happens, 

 after violent froils in the Ipring, then it is 

 often too vigorous ; if there be too many 

 of the ufelefs branches taken off, feveral of 

 the ftuds will make fliocts, which other- 

 wife would have produced bloifoms the 

 next year, for in healthy trees the fap will 

 .difcharge itfelf into flioots through one 

 part or other. 



What I mean by ufelefs branches are fuch 

 as put out from the ftem in fuch places 

 where horizontals are not wanted, and fuch 

 as proceed from horizontals, which by their 

 ftrength feem as if they would fhoot to 

 too great a length for bearers. 



All branches that proceed from the ftem 

 iliould remain, for they cannot over-jQia- 

 dow any of the bearers ; if they be kept 

 tied or nailed upright, thefe I call wafte- 

 pipes, all the other ufelefs branches that 

 . proceed from the horizontals, when they 

 are grown fo long as to fliade the bearers, 

 muft be cut to the length of about nine 

 K inches, 



