By Mr. Henry Crace. 



513 



pruning, by cutting off all my shoots, to within a half an inch of 

 the shoulder, taking care not to injure the leaves beneath ; thus 

 although the whole of my trees are now pruned, I have nearly 

 every one covered with foliage. I leave the top shoots uncut 

 until the winter ; when I again train every tree, with tar-cord, 

 raising the tie a few inches annually ; and although my trees have 

 been twelve years planted, I have a large quantity of them not 

 more than three or four feet high. 



I have within the last year or two applied this system to my 

 Plums and Cherries, and most effectually to Currants and Goose- 

 berries ; in fact I think it will apply to all fruits, except Peaches 

 and Nectarines on the walls. With these I am very cautious ; 

 selecting only the most succulent; but by stopping them you 

 throw strength into the lower shoots. 



Possibly there may be persons doubtful of the advantage arising 

 from this new treatment of fruit trees ; but to the most sceptical 

 I shall be happy to show its effects : and should it prove advanta- 

 geous to Horticulture, I shall be highly gratified in being the 

 means of introducing it. 



There is one material precaution which I ought to mention with 

 reference to cutting the roots. This operation is generally per- 

 formed with the spade, when the root is left with a bruised, or 

 ragged end. I always cut the roots clean with my knife ; taking the 

 cut in a slanting direction three or four inches long on the under 

 side of the root ; by which means I have a greater surface to 

 throw out fibrous roots : and on opening ground around some of 

 the trees, I find a complete fan formed with the young fibres. 

 I am, Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



Henry Crace. 



Lennard Place, St. John's Wood, 

 October 18, 1841. 



