412 
THE FRUIT GARDEN. 
PVall and Espalier Fruit Trees. 
Where the apricot, peach, nectarine, and other wall or espalier 
trees were neglected last month, or not carefully attended to, you 
may in the early part of this thin the fruit as then directed^ rub off' 
all fore-right or ill-placed shoots, and train others regularly at 
proper distances: be not too officious with the knife at this season, 
nor pull oft" any of the leaves from the branches, unless they are 
distempered: for the pulling off" the leaves will expose the fruit too 
much to the sun, and thereby greatly check their growth; besides 
it would greatly injure the buds which are formed at the foot-stalks 
of those leaves. For further particulars respecting fruit trees, see 
the Fruit Garden for May^ which are generally applicable in this 
month. 
Strawberries. 
The strawberry plants in general will, early in the month, be 
coming into full bearing, and if watered occasionally between the 
rows as directed in page 387, it will swell the fruit to a much larger 
size, and greatly encourage the bloom and setting of an abundant 
crop. 
Should the weather prove moist or cloudy, this will be a very 
proper season, to make new plantations of the various kinds of 
strawberries, observing the method directed in page 222. But it 
would be more adviseable at this time to plant some of the best 
runner-plants of this year's production into nursery beds in shady 
borders, six inches asunder, there to remain and get strength till 
September or October, and then to plant them with balls of earth 
where they are to stand for fruiting. Frequent waterings will now 
be very necessary for the young plantations. 
Be particular in selecting the best kinds, and of the stoutest and 
most vigorous growth; dress or trim their roots, and cut oft' all the 
strings or runners previous to planting. 
Though it is not common to propagate strawberries at this sea- 
son, yet if done, and duly watered till they are well rooted, the 
plants will be stronger, and bear much more abundantly next sea- 
son, than if deferred till September or October; but if the weather 
should not happen to be peculiarly favourable, I would advise them 
to be planted for the present in nursery beds, in a shady border, as 
before observed, taking good care to water them frequently till 
well rooted. 
You may, however, any time this month, plant out some of the 
young runner-plants of the Alpine or prolific strawberry, and if 
shaded and watered till they have taken fresh root, they will soon 
bear fruit on the present plants, and in August and September, on 
the runners produced in the intermediate time. 
