SECT. XII. 



OF PRUNING. 



131 



two or three eves each. Eyes or (hoots behind, or 

 before, confkler as of no ufe, and let them be early dif- 

 placed by rubbing, or cutting. This work is to be 

 performed in faring, when the tree is putting forth 

 lhoots; i. e. about the beginning of April* 



If towards the end of May, there Ihould be wanting 

 (hoots on either fide the tree, having, perhaps, only one 

 put forth where two were expected, that one moot 

 mould be cut, or pinched down, to two or three eyes ; 

 and before fummer is over there will be found good, 

 lhoots from them, and thus a proper iiead be obtained. 

 This work of fhortening lhoots of the year may be done 

 any time before Midfummer; but in this cafe, all ill- 

 placed, or fupcrfluous growths, mult be rubbed off as 

 foon as feen, that thole to be referved may be the 

 ftronger, receiving more nourifhment. 



As the lateral lhoots grow, let them be timely nailed 

 to the wall, c'ofe, ft rait, and equi-diftant; but ufe no 

 force while they are tender. If they are quite well 

 placed, they will need no bending; but fometimes (hoou 

 mull be laid in Which are not perfectly fo. Lay in as 

 many good moderate fized lhoots as may be throughout 

 the fummer, for choice at winter pruning, yet do not 

 croud the tree. As the flioots proceed in length, nail 

 thercrto the wall, that no material dangling of them be 

 feen; but avoid ufmg too many fhrcds. 



In the formation of a tree, keep each fide as nearly as 

 can be equal in wood, and the lhoots inclining down- 

 wards, which is a mode of training neceilaryto fill the 

 lower part of the wall, (none of which Ihould be loft) 

 and to check the too free motion of the lap, which w r all 

 trees are lia*ble to irom their warm fituation, and con- 

 tinual cutting. All the branches fhould have an 

 horizontal tendency, though the upper cannot have it fa 

 much as the lower ones. Thofe that are perpendicular^ 

 or nearly fo, mount the wall too tali, and run away with 

 the food that fhould pafs to the horizontals, which being 

 impovcrifhed by the vigorous middle branchesygradually 

 G 6 become 



