154 A TREATISE OF 

 that not much better tafted than the gum 

 ifiiiing out of a wounded branch. Weak- 

 nefs is generally the caufe of this imper- 

 fection in the fruit, either in the whole 

 tree or elfe in part thereof, occafioned ei- 

 ther by its being wounded, or the bearers 

 being too old, and fometimes by bearing 

 too great a quantity of fruit, either on the 

 whole tree, or fome particular parts. 



I have often obferved, that plum-trees 

 produce the beft fruit upon the youhgeft 

 bearers; except too great a quantity is fuf- 

 fered to remain, without being properly 

 thinned ; which fhould be done about the 

 latter end of May, by taking off the fmall- 

 eft with the point of a fharp knife. By 

 thefe obfervations, I find it beft for the 

 procuring of good fruit, to keep the hori- 

 zontals and bearers young, and likewife 

 thin the fruit when there is occafion : but 

 when there is a weaknefs proceeding from 

 the root, it (liould be relieved by the me^ 

 thods prefcribed for managing borders. 



As to what is required more in the prun- 

 ing of plum-trees, may be learned from 

 the rules laid down for pears upon quince 

 (locks, cr for cherries in the laft chapter. 



CHAP. 



