422 THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. [Juhj. 



neglect the summer pruning and the entire nailing till this 

 time ; particularly to apricots, peaches, nectarines, and such 

 trees as produce their fruit principally upon the one year old 

 shoots. It also causes great perplexity to the pruner, to break 

 through and regulate such a thicket and confusion of wood, 

 requires treble the pains and labour, and cannot be executed 

 with such accuracy, as when the work is commenced early in 

 the summer. 



There is a very great advantage in beginning early in the 

 summer to train the shoots in a proper direction ; and, at the 

 same time, to clear the trees from all ill-placed, luxuriant, and 

 superfluous shoots ; for when the useless wood is timely cleared 

 out, and the useful shoots laid in closely and regularly to the 

 wall, the sun, air, and gentle showers, will, during the whole 

 time, have proper access, not only to promote the gi'owth and 

 improve the flavor of the fruit, but also to harden or ripen the 

 shoots properly, which is absolutely necessary to their pro- 

 ducing good fruit and proper wood next year. 



Do not shorten any of the shoots at this time, but let every 

 one be laid in at its full length, where room admits. Look 

 also again over such wall and espalier trees as were pruned 

 and nailed the last two months ; and see if all the shoots then 

 laid in, keep firm in their places ; and where there are any that 

 have been displaced, are loose, or project much from the wall, 

 let them be now nailed in again close in their proper position. 



Likewise observe if there have been any straggling shoots 

 produced since last month, in places where not wanted, and 

 let them now be displaced. 



FINAL THINNING OF WALL-FRUITS. 



The stoning of peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums, 

 will now be over, and all danger of their casting their fruit 

 at that precarious season be past. They should now be thinned 

 out nearly to their respective distances, leaving, however, a 

 few more than enough to be picked off' occasionally, till towards 

 the end of this month or the beginning of next, for fear of 

 accidents. Sometimes many will drop off' between their stoning, 

 and their taking their first swelling, as it is called; but all 



