THEORY OF CLOSE PRUNING. 



95 



this, with shelter and destroying insects, &c., is 

 really all. 



We thus perceive how really simple and easy to 

 perform Peach-pruning is. Good pruning should 

 not differ much in principle, whether in the open 

 air, or under glass. In either case, if we take care 

 of the shoots, the branches will take care of them- 

 selves. The exigencies of space, of course, require 

 that we should direct the growths in the most 

 convenient manner; but a branch, 20 feet long 

 in the open air, can be made to form a compact 

 spiral cordon, occupying little space, round three 

 vertical wires, and no style of training is more 

 beautiful or more productive. 



To the above cited well-known names, which are 

 now connected with the success of close pruning, 

 I may add that of Mr. Rivers. Orchard-houses 

 have, indeed, done much for the Peach. Their 

 multiplication induced corresponding develop- 

 ments in training. The great object was, of 

 course, to economise the valuable space, and to do 

 this close pruning was required ; and, in conse- 

 quence, we find the principles of close pruning 

 well described in Mr. Rivers's works on the 

 management of these houses. There need, there- 

 fore, be little doubt as to the solidity of the 

 foundation of these truths. As was stated at first, 

 the chief object of these papers was to point out 



