192 THE FRUIT GARDEN. jAN. 



size and flavour. Along with the superfluous part 

 of these clustered spurs, let the fore-right shoots 

 and other spray of last summer be cleared away, if 

 that have not been done in autumn ; observing al- 

 ways to cut close back to the old wood, and to make 

 clean wounds, not ragging the edges of the bark. 

 This latter precaution is more necessary in the prun- 

 ing of stone than other fruits, on account of their 

 aptness to gum and canker at every bruise. 



If the use of the saw be necessary, from the 

 strength of any branch to be lopped, or cut out, let 

 the wound made by it be smoothed with the knife; 

 and if, from the position of any such wound, it be 

 apprehended that water may lodge, to the detri- 

 ment of the tree, let it be laid over with a little tar, 

 or any mild paint, preferring the former; observing 

 to preserve the coating in a sound state, so as to ex- 

 clude air and moisture, till the wound be perfectly 

 healed and covered with fresh bark. To exclude air 

 and moisture, simply, is the use of any plaster thus 

 applied. The quackery and false pretensions con- 

 cerning the charms of Forsyth's plaster have long- 

 been detected. 



The leading shoots and branches of such trees as 

 have not filled their spaces, and which are to be 

 considered as yet in training, must be shortened, and 

 otherwise be treated much as directed above for ap- 

 ples and pears. But small shoots that abound with 

 fruit-buds, and are well ripened to their extremities, 

 may be laid in at full length. These may frequently 

 be laid in between the leading and other branches, 

 there to remain as temporary, and only till they 



