FRUIT-TREES. 139 



CHAP. XLIV. 



Obfervations on old Pear-Trees, and o- 

 thers that are not in good order, and 

 how they are fometimes extravagantly 

 thrown away. 



WH A T I have faid before upon 

 pruning and nailing of pear-trees, 

 only relates to fuch as have been planted 

 no more than five or fix years ; but older 

 trees are many times capable of being 

 improved, tho' I have known fome gentle- 

 men been perfuaded to throw them out, 

 and plant young ones in their ftead. Nay, 

 I have lately {qqxi young trees planted be- 

 tween old ones that aftually flood too near 

 each other in an efpalier: this I count 

 a worfe pra6lice than the former -, for the 

 young ones were hindered from thriving 

 by the roots of the others, and likewife by 

 the branches hanging over them. 



The reafons given for deftroying old 

 trees are generally thefe two, viz. the one 

 for not bearing good fruit, and the other 

 ^or bearing to% little or none. But before 



I pro^ 



