168 



OF PRUNING. 



SECT. XII, 



The general direclions already given for pruning 

 fhrubs might fuffice, but that the young gardener may 

 not have to difcover (by obfervatioi: alone) the proper 

 application of the given rules, he is here particularly 

 directed to the work of pruning a few of the more com- 

 mon forts. 



Rojes bear upon fhoots of the prefent year, and upon 

 thofe formed after Midfummer in the paft year, but 

 chiefly upon the former. Therefore, they may, or ra- 

 ther mould be cut down low, leaving only three or fom 

 eyes to a moot ; except fome of thofe fhort fho 

 formed the iaft year too late to blow then, w T hich les 

 whole. If rofe trees are not clofe pruned they v 

 be unable to fupport their flowers properly. Ufe 

 iharp knife and cut clofe behind an eye or bud. Ro 

 for forcing mould be pruned in July and Auguft. 



Hone\Juckks flow r er on moots of the prefent ye 

 and therefore whether tr .ined to walls, or kept 

 bufiies, mould be alfo pruned clofe, but not fo fhort 

 the latter cafe as the former; for thofe againft we 

 mould be cut down to an eye or two, and thofe in buff 

 to three or four eyes. 



■ Sweetbriars flower on fhoots of the prefent ye 

 and therefore mould be cut after the manner of honey* , 

 fuckles. Thefe fhrubs (and moft others) are feldc 

 pruned down enough ; Id that in a few years they get 

 very rambling and imfightly ; but if kept compact we 

 have beauty, as well as fweetnefs, to recompence our 

 care. In all cafes, a lefs number of fine flowers, ob- 

 tained by fhort and open pruning, is certainly preferable 

 to many indifferent ones. 



Lilacs bear their flowers at the ends of (boots of the 

 Lift year, fo of courfe at fpring muft not be fhort eir^d. 

 If got rambling and crowded, cut either clean Out; or 

 very iow s what may be fuperiiuous. If they need much 

 reduction, let them be cut down as foon as (or fomewhat 

 before) they have got off flower, and then the {hosts 



