148 On the Cultivation of the Filbert. 



within a few inches of the ground. From the remaining 

 part, if the trees are well rooted in the soil, five or six strong 

 shoots will be produced. Whichever method is practised, 

 the subsequent treatment of the trees will be exactly the 

 same. 



In the second year after cutting down, these shoots are 

 shortened ; generally one-third is taken off. If very weak, I 

 would advise that the trees be quite cut down a second time, 

 as in the previous spring : but it would be much better 

 not to cut them down until the trees give evident tokens 

 of their being able to produce shoots of sufficient strength. 

 When they are thus shortened, that they may appear regular, 

 let a small hoop be placed within the branches, to which the 

 shoots are to be fastened at equal distances ; by this prac- 

 tice, two considerable advantages will be gained; the trees 

 will grow more regular, and the middle will be kept hollow, 

 so as to admit the influence of the sun and air, but this, in 

 a large plantation, would be almost impossible, nor indeed 

 is it necessary, though in private gardens, where regularity 

 and neatness are almost essential, it ought to be practised. 



In the third year, a shoot will spring from each bud ; these 

 must be suffered to grow till the following autumn, or fourth 

 year, when they are to be cut off nearly close to the original 

 stem, and the leading shoot of the last year shortened two- 

 thirds. 



In the fifth year several small shoots will arise from the 

 base of the side branches which were cut off the preceding 

 year; these are produced from small buds, and would not 

 have been emitted, had not the branch on which they are 

 si mated been shortened, the whole nourishment being carried 



