60 
New Principles of Gardening, 
Therefore if all the weak Branches be on the one Side of the 
Tree, and the ftrong ones on the other, difplace one of the {trong 
- Shoots entirely, and leave one {trong Branch only with the other 
two as are weaker. If the Pofition of the two weak Shoots 
fhould be both above the ftrong ones, and they not on one 
Side; then at fuch Times ’tis beft to cut away the two weak 
Branches intirely, and form the Tree with thofe Shoots as will 
proceed from the Buds of the remaining Branches. 
VIL. Veak or decaying Trees fhould have their Wood pruned 
much fhorter than thofe as are in perfe€t Health, and the Shoots 
preferved muft be fewer in Number. 
IX. When Trees of one Year’s Growth produce feven or eight 
Shoots, chufe out three, or four at moft, of the middling Wood, 
and difplace all the others. 
X. When either young or old Trees produces ftronger Bran- 
ches towards the Bottom than the Top, “tis a Sign that its upper 
Part isin an il] State of Health; therefore at fuch Times ’tis be(t 
to cut away the weak Part entirely, and form a new Tree with 
the {trong and healthy Branches remaining. 
XI. When Trees of any Age produce weak Branches at Bot- 
tom, and vigorous ones at Top, ’tis beft to cut down that Tree 
tothe weak Branches, and thereby they will be {trengthened, 
and the Tree proceed upwards in anequal State of Health. ; 
XII. To nail in bearing Branches over-thick, ftarves the 
Bloom, caufes the Fruit to be fmall and infipid, and at length 
ruins the Tree. Therefore avoid thick nailing ; for of the two 
Extremes, ’tis beft to prune and nail too thin, rather than too 
thick; for as I faid before, that thick nailing ruins a Tree, fo 
- the contrary, thin nailing caufes fine Fruit and good Wood, 
C. ; 
XII. When you prune Dwarf-Trees, obferve that the Bud 
you prune at ftand outward, and not inward, or Side-ways, 
and thereby the Tree in its natural Growth will form itfelf, 
without the Affiftance of Hoops, Sc. to extend out their Bran- 
ches to form the Tree. 
You cannot be fo often put in Mind 
Of that Advantage which your Plants wil] jind: 
By being prun’d, the Boughs will thus obey, 
And by your Tool are falbion’d any Way : 
3 Though 
