SECT. XII. 



OF PRUNING. 



135 



Trel/ifes fhould be made of feafoned deal, and fquared 

 to Hips of three-fourths of an inch, or a trifle wider, 

 and fixed clofe to the wall, fo as to form upright ob- 

 longs of twelve inches by fix. In this way of training, 

 the fhreds ought to be finer, and the nails much {mailer; 

 but the branches may be tied with 6ajs, &c. if the trellis 

 is fet a little from the wall, as fuppofe an inch. 



It may be obferved, that tying faves the expence of 

 nails and Ihreds, clofe fet buds are never covered, and 

 damage from the hammer is avoided. By trellifing, a 

 tree will be cleaner and lefs infefied w r ith vermin, which 

 breed in the holes made by nailing. In this mode of 

 training, the fruit fwells freely, grows larger, and is of 

 more equal flavour; fo that it deferves trial where it is 

 likely to fucceed by fine fituations. 



Let the young gardener be advifed refolutely to ob- 

 ferve the pruning laws, and keep all in perpetual order, 

 for his trees will run prefently to confufion and ruin, 

 if inattention and negleft take place. 



2. The HEALTH of wall trees is greatly provided 

 for, by obferving the directions already given, concern- 

 ing their form; for if obferved, each {hoot will have the 

 proper benefit of fun and air, to concofi its juices and 

 prepare it for fruiting. 



It injures a tender fhoot when it preffeshard agajnft. 

 a- nail. It the hammer ftrikes a moot, and bruifesthe 

 bark 5 it often fpoils ir not kills it, by the part cankering.. 

 The Jhreds may be too tight, fo that the fhoot cannot 

 properly fwell; and if fhreds are too broad, and too 

 numerous, they are apt to occafion ficknefs, and prove 

 a harbour for infefts and filth : Let the number be 

 leffened at all opportunities. A {lip of the knife may 

 wound a neighbouring branch, and make it gum, can- 

 ker, or die. It will require care, and fome praclice, 

 to avoid this accident ; and in order to it, keep the point 

 of the knife fharp, and mind the pofition of it when 



cutting, 



