THE FRUIT GARDEN, 



337 



MONTHLY OPERATIONS 



OF THE 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



JANUARY. 



PRUNING FRUIT-TREES. 



Tlie art of pruning chiefly consists in being acquainted with 

 the nature of bearing in the difFerent sorts of trees, and in 

 forming an early jutlgment of their habits and manner of pro- 

 ducing tlicir slioots and branches, as well as other circum- 

 stances, for which some rules may be given; but there are 

 particular instances, of which it is impossible to decide but 

 on the spot, and which depend chiefly on practice and ob- 

 servation. No rules can be laid down that are equally appli- 

 cable to all trees or all situations. The objects of pruning are 

 various, such as promoting growth and bulk ; the renewal of 

 decayed plants and trees ; modifying the form ; enlarging the 

 fruit ; promoting the formation of fruit-buds ; lessening the 

 bulk of the trees ; adjusting the branches to the roots ; and 

 the remov.d or cure of diseases, &c. 



PRUNING STANDARD FRUIT-TREES. 



Standard fruit-trees are seldom much pruned after they have 

 attained a bearing state, except to regulate any irregularity in 

 their branches, although no doubt can exist, that they would, 

 in most cases, be much benefited by a more regular use of the 

 knife. Upon this subject. Knight justly recommends, that the 

 points of the extreme branches should be every where kept 

 thin and pervious to the light, so that the internal parts of 

 the tree may not be entirely shaded by the external. The 

 light should penetrate freely into every pait of the tree, and if 



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