202 THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



being frequently let grow in a state perfectly wild ; 

 and that too by those whose interests would be very 

 materially served by a contrary conduct, namely, 

 the market gardeners and fruit growers. 



On young trees, the knife should not be used too 

 freely ; but chiefly in order to cause them push 

 shoots, of which to form a proper head. Generally 

 speaking, the shoots may be shortened in proportion 

 to their lengths, much as already directed for apples 

 and pears trained against walls ; cutting clean away 

 such as cross one another; ap&Janwng the tree out 

 towards the extremities on all sides ; thereby keep- 

 ing it equally poised, and fit to resist the effects of 

 high winds. 



When it is wished to throw a young tree into a 

 bearing state, which should not be thought of, how- 

 ever, sooner than the third or fourth year after plant- 

 ing, the leading branches should be very little shor- 

 tened, and the lower, or side branches, not at all ; nor 

 should the knife be used, unless to cut out such 

 shoots as cross one another, as above hinted. 



But on aged trees, that have run into a confusion 

 of shoots and branches, and whose spurs have be- 

 come clustered and crowded, the saw and the knife 

 may be exercised with freedom ; observing to cut 

 clean away all useless spray, rotten stumps, or the 

 like, as already directed. Thin out the spurs to a 

 moderate consistency, so as to let the air circulate 

 freely among the leaves and fruit next summer, and 

 to let in the rays of the sun, which will give both 

 colour and flavour to the latter. 



