48 
through the whole of tlie apparently dormant season, in order 
to refill the cells, which have been somewhat emptied by the 
summer’s sun. This current first supplies the upper portion of 
the shoots, and thus it is that we find, in most cases, a few buds 
“breaking” at the extremities, whilst the lower portions of such 
shoots remain dormant. 
With regard to pruning fruit trees on walls, or espalier rails, 
we have adopted a plan for the last seven years which has been 
eminently successful, and cannot be too extensively adopted; 
being moreover founded on the natural habits of the trees. It 
is well known that Pears especially, and, I may add, most of 
the other fruit trees, are more disposed to form blossom buds 
at their extremities, or on the two-year-old wood, than on their 
spurs; such being the case, I make a practice of reserving all 
the very short-jointed young shoots of moderate growth, at the 
general disbudding, or stopping, in July. Such shoots, in the 
Pear, for instance, will be found, towards the beginning of 
August, to have assumed a dark brown colour, and to be about 
completing their summer’s growth ; these are tied down on the 
main branches, and carefully preserved at the general winter 
pruning. By these means, each and every part of the tree, from 
the stump to the extremities, becomes duly clothed with blos- 
som buds, instead of a few branches at the extreme points. In 
order, however, to secure abundance of light, on all parts of the 
tree, and in the case of wall trees, to promote the absorption of 
the solar rays by the wall, I take care to train the leading shoots 
a good distance apart, in general, six to nine inches. A line of 
wall between each two leaders is thus distinctly exposed to the 
solar rays, which becoming heated, radiates a warmth for hours 
after sunset. Pears, Plums, Apricots, and even Cherries, may 
be treated in this manner. About once in three years I cut all 
the ties that surround the branches, and give a general prun- 
ing of all exhausted, or barren, wood; cutting away, also, 
those of the lateral shoots which, from their size, are becoming 
unmanageable. 
Peaches and Nectarines should be encouraged to bear on the 
annual wood ; for although they will (especially when old) 
produce spurs, such should not be depended on. To obtain 
clean young wood, it is only necessary to prune rather freely; 
more especially the lower shoots. 
