12 



TREATISE ON THE CULTURE AND 



are very hurtful, I have planted two rows of Apple-trees, in* 

 termixed with other fruit-trees, alternately, one row on each 

 side of the middle walk (which runs the whole length of the 

 garden), at the distance of seventeen yards from each other. 

 1 have also made cross-walks of three feet broad, at the dis- 

 tance of seventy yards, with borders on each side six feet 

 wide, having two rows of trees in each border, about twelve 

 or fourteen feet asunder. These Dwarf trees are very useful 

 in breaking the force of high winds, and are at the same time 

 of such a height that a man standing on the ground may ga- 

 ther the fruit. As Plum-trees may be planted in the same 

 manner and for the same purpose as the above, you can have 

 the quarters clear for crops for the kitchen, and a free air wiil 

 be admitted, which you can never have if you plant Espa- 

 liers : Dwarf Standards can be kept to what size you please : 

 they look much handsomer than Espaliers, and produce a 

 greater quantity of fruit. 



On pruning end restoring old and decayed Plum-Trees. 



I have restored Plum-trees, some of which were so far 

 decayed as to have only from one to two or three inches of 

 bark left ; they are now completelv filled up with sound wood, 

 with large heads, which at four years growth filled a wall six- 

 teen feet high, and are at this time full of fine fruit; some of 

 the stems are several inches in circumference, bearing treble 

 the crops produced by young trees that have been planted three 

 times as long as they have been headed down. 



Where the trunks are become hollow, I always cut out all 

 the loose rotten parts, and also examine the roots, cutting oif 

 v/hat is rotten, injured, or decayed. This method should be 

 pursued with all hollow and decayed trees ; and, if properly 

 executed, they mav be so completel}^ filled up, as scarcelv to 

 leave a mark behind, even where the wood is totally decayed.* 



I have had shoots from Plum-trees which have been head- 

 ed, that have grown upwards of seven feet long, and as large as 

 a walking-stick, in one summer; this should never be suffered ; 

 but they should be pinched off with the finger and thumb, in the 

 beginning of Junef ; close to an eye or a bud ; unless the wall 

 be filled up to the top ; in which case thev should never be cut 

 while they continue to bear handsome fruit. Before they be- 

 gin to cease form bearing, you must always begin with short- 

 ening every other shoot, leaving them only from six inches to 



* Astonishing as this really is, I was v/itness of the truth of the state- 

 ment. 



f The middle, or latter end of June, for America. 



