Jan.] 



THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



S53 



be trained much in the manner of peaches. Considering, 

 therefore, that they are to be trained in this method, let the 

 branches be arranged at the distance of eight or nine inches 

 apart, according to their strength and size of the fohage. Old 

 trees are apt to form their spurs into clusters, which ought to 

 be neatly thinned out, chiefly cutting away the parts farthest 

 from the wall, and retaining those placed nearest to it, that 

 the fruit produced upon them may be benefited by its influ- 

 ence. If the trees be in a healthy state, and if there be an 

 appearance of plenty of fruit-buds on the young wood, that is, 

 the shoots and branches of the preceding year, the largest of 

 the spurs may be cleared away, or very much thinned, as the 

 fruit produced from such young shoots as can be laid in close 

 to the wall, will be much superior to that produced on spurs, 

 both in size and flavor. 



Clear tlie trees of all sickly, diseased or dead shoots, dead 

 spurs, or any lateral spray that may have grown since the 

 summer pruning, observing to cut clean into the old wood 

 with a sharp instrument, and not to leave a ragged wound, 

 which would admit moisture, and soon produce decay, as well 

 as gum and canker, to which all stone-fruits are liable, fi'om 

 M'ounds arising from bruises or careless pruning. If it be 

 necessary to use the saw in removing large branches, smooth 

 the surface of the cut with a sharp knife, and paint over the 

 wound with any sort of paint most convenient, in order to 

 exclude the air and wet until the young bark heals over it. 

 In established trees of these sorts, no shortening should ever 

 be done, unless in such cases, where a vacancy has arisen in 

 the tree from the loss of a branch by accident, or otherwise ; 

 in such case, shorten either the next, or the two next, in order 

 to produce shoots to fill the vacant space. The leading shoots 

 of such trees as have not yet filled their respective places on 

 the wall, should be shortened, and treated nearly in the same 

 manner as has been directed for apples and pears. Small shoots 

 that abound with fruit-spurs, and are perfectly ripened to their 

 extremities, may be laid in, if wanted as temporary shoots, 

 that is, until they have ripened off' their fruit, and then cut 

 out altogether ; but if wanted to fill up a vacant space, shorten 

 them into a good wood-bud, or lay them in at full length. 



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