THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



401 



which arise in parts of tlie tree where they are evidently not 

 wanted, and are situated in places where they cannot be regu- 

 larly trained to the wall. 



But it must be observed, that all regularly placed side- 

 shoots and leaders, and such others, which are properly situ- 

 ated for laying in, must be left; and, when of a proper 

 length, should, in the two succeeding months, be trained to 

 the wall in a regular manner. 



DISBUDDING VINES ON THE WALLS. 



The vines against the walls should be looked over about the 

 end of this month ; they will, by that time, if a forward sea- 

 son, be advancing in shoots, and some of them showing fruit. 

 The dressing or disbudding at this early season is to be per- 

 formed with the finger and thumb, rubbing the shoots closely off. 



Previously to the training of any tree, for the purpose of 

 obtaining the greatest quantity of fruit, its mode of bearing 

 should be first taken into consideration, and the object of the 

 cultivator must necessarily be to obtain the greatest quantity 

 of bearing wood, of an equiil and proper distribution. 



The vine is a creeping plant, throwing out the most luxu- 

 riant shoots at the extremity of its branches, where they are 

 laid horizontally or perpendicularly. In training this tree, it 

 is necessary to keep three principal objects in view : first, to 

 cover the space allotted to it with fruit-branches, leaving room 

 for both ripening the fruit, and the branches that are to bciu* 

 fruit the succeeding year : secondly, to take ofl' the top of 

 each branch bearing fruit at the second or third joint above the 

 uppermost bunch, except such branches as are destined to 

 bear fruit the next year, which latter must be exposed, and 

 by no means topped ; for if the sap be checked in these, many 

 of their buds will burst the same season, and the fruit of next 

 year be destroyed: thirdly, to take off all laterals as they 

 arise, and any shoots which, though laid in for fruit, turn out 

 unproductive, that the whole strength of the tree may be pro- 

 perly applied to the maturation of the fruit, and the wood for 

 succeeding crops. 



By early regulating the vines, the grapes will advance freely 

 in their growth, become larger, more regular, ripen sooner, 



3 F 



