SECT. XII. 



OF PRUNING. 



are often hurt by an early uncovering,- and yet the 

 fpring air, as foon as poffible^is defirable. 



It is worthy consideration and trial, whether fig 

 trees,, againft a good wall, would not do belt on a 

 tteMis, as thus, if they have fufficient heat, they would 

 not be forced into wood, which they are apt to have too 

 Snivel} of. In this way they might be protected in 

 winter, by tucking in branches of evergreens, fern, 

 ike... 



*? # * *F # # 



Pears come next under our confi deration, as a few 

 of the beft forts are a good wall fruit. 



A young pear tree, being planted againft a wall in 

 autumn^ Ihould not be cut down till Jpring y when the 

 head is to be reduced according to the goodnefs of the 

 root, and fo as to lay a, proper foundation for. covering 

 the wall.. If it has a bad root, all the Ihoots mould 

 come off,, and only the flem be left, with a few eyes to 

 form new fhoots, as was directed lor peaches, &c. But 

 generally, fome of the (hoots are to be left, with due 

 Ihortening, only taking it as a . rule, that it is not proper 

 to leave much wood on; but to prune down freely, in 

 order to the putting out ftrong moots for parent 

 branches. See heading dozen, under the directions for 

 efpalier p ru n ing . . 



The form o\ pear trees 13 to be * governed by the 

 wall. If the fpace allowed the tree is low and long, 

 it mtift of courfe be trained perfectly horizontal ; but 

 if there is room above, and a.denciency.of length, the 

 form becomes more erecf ; . Yet even in this cafe, the 

 lower and more, horizontaLhranches mould be allowed 

 to get, the ft art a, year or two, before the middle is per- 

 mitted to fill, which ought not to have any over flrong 

 wood, Jeft it run- away witk.the itrength of the tree, and 

 keep the extremities weak. Train the branches at 

 length, without ihortening, and keep them ai froxn fix- 

 to eight iricnes- diltance,. according to the fize ot the 



