82 



the trees are not too old, may be most judiciously re- 

 sorted to for once ; not so much for the purpose of 

 the immediate checking of the tree as for repairing 

 the substratum, and reducing the strength of the 

 border by adding sand, &c. Were it possible to avoid 

 it, do not let one of the fibres be damaged, more than 

 their being necessarily out of their element for a few 

 hours would cause. This would check the tree suffi- 

 ciently for one year ; and, in future, it would remain 

 moderate, in consequence of the arrangements in the 

 border, and the pruning to be adopted. Do not reckon 

 upon a full crop of fruit the first year ; because, if 

 the young branches were generally luxuriant, it is 

 probable they would not set much fruit ; and, on any 

 part that might be weak, do not allow any fruit to 

 remain. In pruning, leave the branches thin, and 

 shorten those which were vigorous to about two-thirds 

 of their natural length, and those that were weak to 

 one-third. In summer pruning, leave no more shoots 

 than you calculate upon wanting in the ensuing spring, 

 except where the branches were luxuriant ; there leave 

 rather more, according to vigour. Where a young 

 shoot is luxiuiant, stop it, and take ofi* the superabun- 

 dant shoots before autumn ; by which, those shoots 

 which are wanted would be more exposed to the in- 

 fluence of the sun and air, and ripen better. As soon 

 as the leaves begin to drop in the autumn, thin off 

 the ripest of them, by sweeping lightly over the leaves 



