SECT. XII. 



OF PRUNING. 



145 



i. e. in May, July, and September, earlier or later in 

 thefe months as the feafon is, taking care to be fatisfied 

 of the jkill of the performer. 



****** 



To preferve bloffoms from inclement weather, is a 

 thing fonie perfons are curious in, though on the whole 

 they may be (as they generally are) left to take their 

 chance. After expence and trouble, this bufinefs is 

 often done to no purpofe, or a bad one. The covers 

 fometimes knock off the tender bloffoms, and if the 

 work is done irregularly, as perhaps covered too clofe. 

 for a time, and then left uncovered, thev are fooner cut 

 off. 



Many contrivances for jhelters have been ufed. The 

 old way oi flicking cuttings olyezv, or other evergreens* 

 or fern, (which is beft when dry) is as little trouble as 

 any; but they mould be fixed carefully, fo as not to 

 flip, or be moved by wind, and not fo thick as to made 

 overmuch. A (light covering is of fervice, and rather 

 to be recommended than a thick one. 



Nothing more than an old net has been ufed fuccefe* 

 fully by feme gardeners for the purpofe. 



A coping projecting from fix inches to a foot, ac-> 

 cording -to the height of the wall, is ferviceable, as keep- 

 ing off heavy rains, and alfo frofts, whofe afitiori is per- 

 pendicular: This coping, when it is of thatch, though 

 not fo fightly, is beft : But perpetual covers, if wide,- do 

 harm by keeping off dew and gentle rains, 



The bejl covering for the protection of bloffoms- is, 

 ! perhaps, that which Mr, Miller recommends, " made 

 I with two leaves of flfcdeal, joined over each other, 

 and painted, fixed upon the top of the wall with pullies, 

 to draw 7 up and down at pleafure, forming a fort of 

 J gfemkoiife** 



Rec4 Qxjlraw hurdles have been ufedio place before 

 ; the trees in ievere weather; and if ozilv'fet at right 

 - H : . - angles 



