MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT TREES, &c. 35 



In 1797', I pruned some very old trees in the month of 

 May, which were left, to shew the old method of pruning ; I, 

 at the same time cut some branches off the same trees accord- 

 ing to the new method, to shew the difference of the fruit, 

 which was taken by all who saw it for a different sort of cherry. 

 The cherries from the old spurs were not half the size of the 

 others, and were at least three weeks later. 



I am sorry to say, that many who have seen the improved 

 state of the fruit-trees in Kensington Gardens still have their 

 own managed according to the old method of pruning. Seve- 

 ral, however, have adopted the new method vrith great success. 

 One gentleman in this neighbourhood, by renovating thirty- 

 nine Old Morellos planted on a North wall 176 yards long, 

 and ten feet high, was in a few years able to sell j^early, on an 

 average, from thirty to forty pounds worth of fruit produced 

 from them, besides supplying his own family. In some years 

 the Market-Gardener who sold them allowed him three shil« 

 lings per pound weight. 



A row of Dwarf Cherry-trees that stood against an old 

 paling in Kensington Gardens, with an old thorn hedge at the 

 back of it, (which every year so infected them with a blight 

 accompanied with an immense number of caterpillars and other 

 insects, that even in a fine year we could not gather eight 

 baskets from the whole row) became so fruitful after the hedge 

 and paling were removed, that we gathered forty-two pounds 

 a-day for six successive weeks, beside what the birds, wasps, 

 and flies destroyed. 



This estimate is within the bounds of truth ; and I men- 

 tion the fact to stimulate Market-Gardeners and Farmers, who 

 have large orchards and gardens, to exert themselves in try- 

 ing every method, however unimportant it may at first appear, 

 to improve and render them more fruitful. 



The Duke and Heart Cherries from these trees were as 

 , fine as any that were produced from wall-trees ; and as they are 

 i much more productive, I have been induced to take up many 

 of the old renovated trees from the walls, and plant them out 

 for dwarf standards, supplying their places with pears, plums, 

 : pleaches, &c. 



li In all old gardens and orchards throughout the kingdom, 

 |l and particularly in Kent, whence the London Markets are 

 I chiefly supplied with apples and cherries, the greater part of 

 the old trees will hardly bear fruit sufficient to pay the expence 

 I of gathering it; but if the above method of pruning. Sec. were 

 I practised, the owner would soon find his account in it, and 

 I be amply repaid for his trouble : The fruit will be much finer^ 



