136 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [Feb. 
As you proceed, let the supply of reserved shoots be shortened, 
each according to its strength. Shoots of a vigorous growth should 
be shortened but a littlej that is, you may cut off' about one-fourth 
of the original length; those of a moderate growth should be 
shortened more in proportion by cutting off about one-third; for 
instance, a shoot of eighteen inches should be shortened to twelve 
or thereabouts, and observe the same proportion according to the 
different lengths of the shoots. 
But for the more particular method of pruning these trees, see 
the work of the fruit garden in January, page 29. 
Pruning of .Apples and Fears, 8fc. 
Prune apples, pears, plums and cherries, against walls or espa- 
liers; and, if possible, let the whole of them be finished this month. 
In pruning these trees, observe, as directed last month, that as 
the same branches or bearers remain many years in a proper fruit- 
ful state, continue them trained close and straight to the wall or 
espalier, not shortening their ends, but still continue training each 
at full length as far as the limited space admits, and laying them 
in about four, five, or six inches asunder. 
In the next place observe, that if the breaches be any where 
much crowded, that is, if the bearing or principal branches are 
closer than four, five, or six inches from one another, some should 
be pruned out: observing, in this case, to take off such as are 
badly situated, and particularly such as appear to be the most 
unlikely to bear, by being either worn out, or, at least, not well 
furnished with fruit-spurs, as mentioned last month. Likewise 
observe, that when necessary to make room in any particular part 
of the tree, to train more regularly any eligible branches which 
are evidently well adapted for bearing; room must be made for 
them by cutting out such barren branches as above described; and 
in any trees where the general branches are trained considerably 
too close, and crowding in a confused irregularity, let some of the 
most unserviceable and irregular growths be cut out in a thinning 
order, in different parts of such trees, to make room for training 
the other more useful and eligible branches, in a proper expansion, 
at regular distances. 
When any old or large branches are to be taken out, let them be 
cut off" close to the places from whence they arise, or to any eligible 
lateral branches which they support, and that you shall think con- 
venient to leave; in cutting off" either old or young branches never 
leave any stumps. 
After cutting out any large branches, let such as remain near 
that part be unnailed or unbound, in order to be brought higher or 
lower, as you shall see necessary, to train them all at equal dis- 
tances; or when there are several large branches to be taken out in 
different parts, the whole tree should be unnailed or unbound, 
then you can more readily train the general branches and bearers 
in exact order. 
Next, let it be observed, that where a supply of wood is wanted, 
