102 



THINNING LEAVES. 



tirely deprived of the assistance required by 

 them. The other half of the leaves must be 

 cut off in the same manner, about ten days 

 or a fortnight afterwards, as before directed. 



When the summer is a very favourable 

 one, and the wood gets ripe in good time, 

 I dispense with the practice described; but 

 have found it necessary for the last twenty- 

 five years, with the exception of three or four 

 summers. It will not either be so requisite 

 in the southern and warmer parts of this 

 country, as in the colder ones; but when 

 found necessary in any situation, the practice 

 has a very beneficial effect. 



Also when the fruit appears not to ripen 

 well, and there is reason to fear a deficiency 

 of flavour, I always pinch off those leaves 

 which overhang it, for the more openly ex- 

 posed it is to the sun, the richer the flavour 

 and the handsomer the fruit will be. Though 

 this practice is not generally pursued, yet it 

 is very seviceable when performed. 



