512 On a System of Pruning Fruit Trees, 



wind ; and I covered them with earth ; so that most of my trees 

 were upwards of a foot above the face of the Garden : and the 

 centre of the roots was rilled up with earth. I must draw the at- 

 tention of the young planter to this last and very material point ; 

 because in most cases the centre is left without earth, which pre- 

 vents fibrous roots forming round the stem. 



From the nature of the soil, my trees have always had a tendency 

 to luxuriant growth, which I annually check, by cutting the roots, 

 to within two or three feet of the stem, according to the size of the 

 plant : but I endeavour each year to cut about one inch longer, 

 by which treatment all my trees are without rank roots ; and I am 

 perfectly satisfied that, by suffering only fibrous ones to exist, you 

 have a greater quantity of blossom-buds produced. 



These observations I have made in order that no brother gar- 

 dener may be led into error by adopting the plan I am about to 

 lay before you, without taking previously the necessary precau- 

 tions to have his trees in a proper state of cultivation. 



To commence with Apple and Pear trees. My first operation is 

 about the month of June, when the sap is rising rapidly through 

 the tree, to nip off the young shoot, to about six inches in length, 

 (the spring shoots at this period being about twelve inches long.) 

 This instantly stops the consumption of sap, which is in conse- 

 quence forced to the dormant eyes, or buds, on the old wood ; it 

 is also, the means of ripening the young shoots much sooner : and 

 it causes the bloom-buds immediately around the shoulder, to 

 throw forth foliage ; consequently bringing to maturity numberless 

 blossom eyes, otherwise dormant. This is strongly exemplified at 

 the present moment: for the upper leaves are beginning to fall, 

 while those around the shoulder, are quite firm. 



When the trees make their Midsummer shoots, the cut branches 

 again throw forth their young wood, from the upper eyes ; and in 

 case they are strong, I again nip them off. 



As the fruit becomes ripe and gathered, I commence my autumn 



