The compleat gard'ner, or, Directions for cultivating and right ordering of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens with divers reflections on several parts of husbandry, in six books : to which is added, his treatise of orange-trees, with the raising of melons, omitted in the French editions / by the famous Monsr De La Quintinye ... ; made English by John Evelyn ... ; illustrated with copper plates.

PART IV.

Of Pruning of Fruit-Trees.

The INTRODUCTION.

GEnerally speaking, Pruning of Trees is Cutting off some of their Branches; and so we commonly say, that a Tree is prun'd, when many marks appear of Branches being cut off. We likewise say, that a Gard'ner prunes, when he is cutting some Branches from his Trees with his Pruning-Knife. This Pruning has been look'd upon in all Times, among the Curious in Fruit-Trees, as the Master-piece of Gard'ning: And, indeed, the Practice of it began not in our Days, for it was held as a Maxim many Ages since, as it appears by the Testimony of the Ancients; so that, to speak the Truth, we only fol∣low * 1.1 now, or perhaps improve what was practis'd by our Fore-fathers.

This Custom of Pruning does not commonly extend to all sorts of Fruit-Trees, only to such as are known in Gardens by the Names of Espaliers, or Wall-Fruit-Trees, Counter-Espaliers or Pole-Hedges and Dwarfs. As for those that are called Tall-standards, they are seldom prun'd, unless it be once or twice in their first Years, either to give them the first Turn of a Round Figure, and Overture, which is requisite at the time they first begin to form an Head; or to take away some irregular Branches, which in process of Time might intangle or dis∣figure that Head; which Pruning is absolutely necessary. A kind of Pruning is like∣wise practis'd upon very old Tall-standards, by cutting off the dead or languishing Branches, both large and small; but that is rather called Cleansing, or Dis-incumbring, than Pruning.

Although the first Idea People have of Pruning, is commonly in relation to the Heads of Trees, that is, their Branches, which frequently want some Correction, to be put in a way of doing well, according to the Mind of their Master; yet notwith∣standing, there is still another Trimming which is very material, and that is the Trimming of Roots; which is perform'd upon two Occasions; of which, the one, that is the most common, is generally practis'd upon all Trees, before they are planted; (which I have suf∣ficiently mention'd in the Treatise of Plantations:) The other, which is extraordinary, is only made use of upon some on the Place, according as one designs to make some more, and others less vigorous than they are. This I will speak of at the End of this Treatise.

This Maxim, or Necessity of Pruning the Heads of all Trees, not being Tall-standards, being well establish'd, tho there are some Erroneous Opinions in it, in relation to very vigorous Dwarfs, which I shall easily destroy. I think my self indispensibly oblig'd to examine here, as much as in me lies, whatever relates to so renown'd a Practice in the Management of Fruit-Trees; therefore I protest, at first, that I will make no particular Re∣serve to my self; but on the contrary, that I will use my utmost Endeavour, not to omit any thing whatever of what I have been able to apprehend in it hitherto, and of what I have so long practis'd with Success.

I am persuaded that Pruning is not only a very useful, but also a very curious thing, and capable of affording Pleasure to those that understand it: But at the same time it must be acknowledg'd, that it is likewise perpicious, or dangerous, when perform'd by unskilful Hands.

For, to speak properly, Pruning, in the Sense we take it, is not barely Cutting; every * 1.2 body cuts, but few prune; nothing is more easie than to cut: And it may even sometimes hap∣pen by chance, that what has been cut without discretion, may succeed well enough, tho for the most part the Consequences prove very bad; whereas there being a great deal of Judgment and Rule in Pruning skilfully, the Success is generally certain, at least, as to what may depend on the Gard'ner; for all does not depend on him: It is well known that he is neither Master of Times, or Seasons; which must of necessity, and chiefly con∣curr to the perfecting His Work. And therefore, when People have not that Abundance of Fruit they desire, and did hope for, the Fault ought not always to be imputed to the Gard'ner: He is only blameable when his Trees are not-well shap'd, when they do not blossom abundantly, and when the Fruit is not universally and equally beautiful, so as to see, upon one and the same Tree, Fruit of very different sizes; for he is partly Master of that.

CHAP. I.

Definition of the Pruning of Trees.

To let you understand what this Pruning is; I say, that it is an Operation of Gard∣ning for three Things, which are to be done yearly to Trees, betwixt the begin∣ning of the Month of November, and the End of March:

The First is, To take away all those Branches that are naught, or might be prejudicial, either to the Abundance, or Goodness of the Fruit; as also to the Beauty of the Tree.

The Second, To preserve all those that may be of good use to those Trees:

And the Third, Prudently to clip those that are found too long, and not to cut any thing off those that have not too much length.

And all this in order to make a Tree lasting, to beautifie it, and at the same time dis∣pose it soon to bear a great deal of fine and good Fruit.

By Branches that are naught, I mean those that are of false Wood, those that are decay'd by having yielded much Fruit, and those that are too small, or have no disposition to pro∣duce either Wood or Fruit.

By Branches that may be prejudicial, either to the Beauty of the Tree, Abundance, or Goodness of the Fruit, I mean such as might cause a Confusion, or shadow the Fruit, as well as those that take part of the Sap of the Tree, when it is over-charg'd with Wood, compar'd to its Vigour.

By Branches that may be of good Use, I mean all those that are so well condition'd, as to be fit to contribute to the beautiful Figure of the Tree, and Infallibly to produce Fruit.

By Branches that are too long, I mean such as exceed nine or ten Inches in length, and so consequently want to be shorten'd; such are all the thick Branches, which we call Branches for Wood; and some of the small ones, which we call Branches for Fruit.

In fine, By Branches that have not too much length, I mean certain little Branches, which being of a moderate Thickness, have Buds at the Ends of them, or are in a Disposi∣tion of having some the following Year, and yet are strong enough to bear the Fruit they are to produce, without breaking.

This so material Distinction in point of Branches, shall be more particularly explain'd in the Chapters that treat of the Manner of Pruning.

I will say nothing here of the Original of Pruning, by reason that what has been said of it is fabulous, and ridiculous, and consequently cannot at present serve for Instruction. For Example, What signifies it to know, that some pretend to derive the Original of Pruning from that Province of Greece, which was called Nauptia; a Country a∣bounding in Vineyards: An Ass having brouz'd or nibbl'd some Branches of Vines, it was observ'd that the nibbl'd Branches produc'd a great many more Grapes, than those that were untouch'd; which made them resolve thenceforward to shorten, or break, or cut, that is, to prune all the Branches of Vines. It is moreover reported, that so much Success attended this Experiment, that to express their Acknowledgment of so fine an Invention, they erected in one of the finest Places of that Province, a Marble Statue to that Animal, as to the Author of Pruning of Vines; that is to say, to the Author of the Abundance of Wine. And our Books tell us, that this is the true Reason of Bacchus's being drawn mounted upon an Ass.

The Usefulness of Pruning Vines being visible; it was judg'd from thence, that it would not be less advantageous to prune Fruit-Trees; and thus, in the Beginnings, they did in this, as has been done in all other Arts and Sciences, they begun to cut grosly, that is, to prune some of the Branches of Trees, till by degrees they have study'd to refine upon it; and, even in these Days, People still study, by Reason and Observation, to improve, and render themselves more and more perfect in it. This is the Information we receive from Books, as to the Original of Pruning: It will easily be granted, that this is not a very material Thing. But, What is very necessary to be known,

Are three principal Points; without the understanding of which, it seems impossible to me, either to speak well of this Pruning, or to perform it.

• The First relates to the Reasons for which it is done.
• The Second, To the Time in which it must be done.
• And the Third relates to the Manner of doing it with Skill and Success.

Let us examine these three Points, one after another.

CHAP. II.

Of the Reasons of Pruning.

I Will begin with the Reasons for which Pruning is used, which, in my Opinion, are two. The First, and chief, is, That which Pruning aims at, The speedy getting of abun∣dance of fine and good Fruit; without which, no Fruit-Trees would be had, or culti∣vated.

The Second, which is pretty considerable, informs us, That Pruning serves to make Trees, in all Seasons, even in those in which they have neither Fruit nor Leaves, appear more agreeable to Sight, than they would do if they were not prun'd.

Now, the Satisfaction of the Sight in this last Point depends wholly upon the well-un∣derstood, and well-proportion'd Figure, a skilful Hand is capable of giving to each Tree.

And, as to what relates to the Abundance of fine and good Fruit, as much as the In∣dustry of the Gard'ner can contribute to it, it depends first upon the Knowledge he must have of every Branch in particular, to know those that are good, from those that are not: It depends, in the second place, upon the judicious Distinction which is to be made among the Branches, wholly to take away those that are bad, or useless, and carefully to preserve all the good ones, be they Branches for Wood, or Branches for Fruit; with this caution, that if among these last, some be found not too long, they shall be left as they are: But as to the main, of the others which are too long, they must be Prun'd more or less, according as Reason may require, either as to the Abundance, or even to the Figure of the Tree. This abundance depends, in the third Place, upon the proper time of Prun∣ing, all times not being fit for it.

In relation to the two first Heads, which relate to the Knowledge and Distinction of Branches in general, I shall shew hereafter in what Order, and to what Use Nature pro∣duces them upon Fruit-Trees; how some are useful for one thing, others for another, and

chiefly how some have more Disposition to Fructify, and others less; and shall conclude from thence, that it is according to that Order, and that Intention of Nature, and accord∣ing to that more or less Disposition, that those Branches must be Order'd and Prun'd in a different manner, the one from the other.

But before I enter any farther into that matter, which has a great extent, since I must therein explain, especially the Manner, or Rules that must be practis'd in the Pruning of a great number of Trees, which commonly are very different the one from the other; I think, it will not be improper to say first, and as briefly as I can, what I think of the Time of Pruning, since that Article is soonest decided.

CHAP. III.

Of the Time of Pruning.

THere is but little to be said upon the Time of Pruning, because that by a general Ap∣probation, it is commonly fix'd to the End of Winter, or at the Beginning of the Spring; that is, a little before the Trees sprout, and partly about the time that the Buds begin to swell, in order to become Blossoms, and the others to stretch out to become Branches: Which happens infallibly, after the great Colds (which generally attend the Months of November, December, January, and February, are past;) the Spring coming in, and consequently the Air beginning to grow hot, and mild, the Plants, that had wholly ceas'd to act during four Months, begin, as it were, to waken, and really to enter into Action: That first Motion is constantly perform'd at the Head, before it begins at the Roots; that is to be understood, when the Cold has been so great, as to interrupt their Function; for among us, in mild Winters, there is not much more Interruption, than in very hot Countries. We shall shew this Order in another place. This External Renew∣ing of Action is a certain Sign that it is time to prune.

People were formerly so scrupulous as to the precise Time of Pruning, that they durst not absolutely labour about it, but in the Decrease of the Moons of February and March: It was almost the only Maxim, in that Case, that appear'd well establish'd, and was in effect inviolably observed. It may be said, that it was a kind of Rote, which most Gard∣ners affected with an incredible Obstinacy; or rather, that it was a kind of Tyranny, which they exercis'd, when they were employ'd by Gentlemen who were Lovers of their Fruit-Trees. That Custom was grown to that heighth, that both the one and the other would have thought all lost, had any thing been prun'd out of those Declinings: It was an Epidemical Distemper; of which, there are still but too many ill Remains. I grant that in other things that are above my Reach, and in which I have no Insight, it may be necessary to observe the Motions of the Moon; but as to the Pruning of Trees, and what∣ever has any relation to Gard'ning, I will take upon me to shew hereafter, in a Treatise of some Reflections I have made upon Husbandry, that those Observations are not only vain, but even Chimerical. And whereas I was formerly infected with that Opinion my self, and am now fully disabus'd of it, I do not despair of ridding Gard'ners of that kind of Notion, or Ignorance, and at the same time cure the Disquiets of several ingenious Men upon that Subject.

'Tis true, that it is very good to prune at the End of February, and at the Beginning * 1.3 of March, which are commonly Times of Decrease; but it is likewise as true, that without minding the Moon, one may begin to prune as soon as the Leaves of the Trees are faln; that is, at the End of October, or, at least, about the Middle of November; which may be continu'd afterwards for the whole Winter, until all be done. And, because that hav∣ing commonly three sorts of Trees to prune; the one too weak, the other too vigorous, and the others that are in as good a Case as can be desir'd, I am of Opinion that it may be both prudent and useful, not to prune them all at the same time; and that it is proper to prune some sooner, and others later. For Example, I am sufficiently persuaded, that the weaker, and more languishing a Tree is, the sooner it ought to be prun'd, to take from it betimes those Branches which, as noisom and useless, must be taken from it at ano∣ther time; that is, towards the End of the Winter. And this is the Reason why the Pruning in November, December, and January is very good and wholesom in relation to these; and even better than that of February and March. And, by the Rule of Con∣traries, the stronger and more vigorous a Tree is, the longer the Pruning of it may be de∣ferr'd; I mean, as to such an one, that the Pruning of it may not only safely, but also very usefully be deferr'd until the End of April.

I advance in this, two Principles, which appear pretty new: Those that are desirous to see the certain Proof of it, may continue to read what follows: As for those who are wil∣ling to rely upon my Word and Experience, and are only desirous to see the Sequel of my manner of Practising, they may skip over the Remainder of this Chapter, to proceed to that wherein I explain the Reasons why Pruning is necessary.

To establish the two Principles I have heretofore advanc'd, I make use of two Compa∣risons, whereof the first, which relates to the Pruning of weak Trees, is drawn from the Conduct of certain frugal Millers, who, with a small quantity of Water, find the Means to manage a Mill that requires a great deal. The Second, which relates to the Pruning of very vigorous Trees, is taken from other Millers, who knowing how dangerous great Streams of Rising Waters are to their Mills, for a Time suffer the Abundance of Water; which might annoy them, to flow gently by; and the Violence of it being over, they shut their Sluce, or Water-gate, and afterwards employ the Remainder of their Water; according as may be expedient for the Number of Wheels they are to ply.

For the Understanding of these two Comparisons, I say, that the Sap in every Tree ap∣pears to me to be partly the same as Water is in every River: I will say in another place, what Water is in the Pipes of spouting Fountains.

Whether Rivers be large or small, it is still certain that they are beautiful, provided that the Channel of each, whatever it may be, be commonly furnish'd with a quantity of Water proportionable to it; without which, they are miserable, and of no Consideration: So is a Tree likewise esteem'd beautiful, whatever Size it be of, (there being both Great and Small,) provided that Tree yearly produces sufficient fine shoots; from all its Parts; and in quantity, proportionable to its present heighth and thickness, or bulk; without which, a Tree is certainly both ugly and miserable.

It is certain, that while a Tree is in a good Ground, and well, the Weather not being so cold, as to freeze the Ground as far as the Roots; for such a Cold stops all manner of vegetation; in such a case, the extremities of the old Roots, still produce other new ones, and consequently still produce a new Sap, as I prove in my Reflections, and so there per∣petually rises a Sap, both into the Stem of the Tree, and in all the Branches which compose the head or top of it; and this, more or less in the whole extent of each, according as the Sap is in it self more or less abounding; just as it is in a River, while the Source is good, and no ways obstructed, the Water flows continually, not only in the Bed or Channel, which Art and Nature have provided for it, but also, generally into all the Branches into which it may divide it self; that is to say, into all the Brooks, or Rivulets, which may form themselves along its course, and that more or less, according as that Wa∣ter is in it self more or less abounding.

When we find that a Tree has but little vigour, and produces no fine Shoots; or that having been vigorous the preceeding Years, it ceases to be so, so as to produce no more Shoots, or at least, none but very small and inconsiderable ones, we may say that it is an Infallible mark, either, that the Source of the Sap is Naturally weak and small, or that it is become so; so that being no longer capable of performing any effect in long Branches, nor in many, and yet it being necessary it should produce some for our Profit and Satisfaction; we must betimes ease that Tree of its burthen, which is too great, considering its want of Strength and Vigour, and so consequently betimes, wholly cut off a great part of its Branches, to the end, that we may, as soon as possibly can be, stop many of those over∣tures through which part of the Sap of that Tree did enter; and so that, which for Ex∣ample, being divided into forty boughs seem'd to produce but little effect in each, the same being afterwards contracted, and distributed into half the quantity, will be found sufficient to perform much greater Productions upon that Tree, tho' indeed less numerous: It was like a River, whose Source or Spring, was either Naturally weak, or considerably diminish'd, and which, notwithstanding that being yet divided into too many Branches; could not perform any thing considerable in any of them; but the same being industri∣ously contracted, or reduc'd, and kept within narrow bounds, so that for the future no part of it may be lost, as it us'd to be; is thereby enabl'd, at least to turn some Wheel. A Dam, or Sluce made betimes, have perform'd in this, what the good Fortune of a more abounding River would have done, as to several Wheels.

This Reason has induc'd me to advice the Pruning of weak Trees betimes, and the same Reason informs us, that they must be cut very short, as we will demonstrate hereafter.

Now, that which is a convincing Argument, in relation to the Pruning of these, must, in my Opinion, by the Rule of contraries, serve to direct us as to the Pruning of vigorous Trees; be it either to do it later, or to leave a greater burthen upon each of them.

It is most certain, that we only have Fruit-Trees, in order to have Fruit; and it is as

certain, that Fruit commonly grows upon those weak Branches only; the large ones bear but little, their Function being to perform something else, which is very considerable: Thus great Torrents are not fit to grind, on the contrary, they are apt to choak or stop up a Mill, or to break all; their Function is to serve to other things; for instance, for the Transportation of Travellers, Burthens, Merchandises, &c. So that none but those that are moderate, can be useful for Grinding; So likewise, a Tree being very vigorous, ge∣nerally produces none but large Branches, especially at the beginning of the Spring, at which time the Sap rises most, and can begin none of those weak ones, which we stand in need of for Fruit.

Now to such a Tree that must be Prun'd in order to yield Fruit, and yet retain a pleasing Figure; you must not only leave a great burthen, whether it be as to the num∣ber of Branches, or the length of every one of them, which is certainly absolutely neces∣sary, but there must be something more: And as it is particularly on those extremities, that the new Sap performs most at the entrance of the Spring, it is necessary, as one may say, to let the heat and fury of its first Action discharge it self: And therefore it is fit to Prune such a Tree later; that is, it must not be done until the first impetuosity of the Sap be pass'd; there will yet remain enough in it, to make those kind of Branches so Prun'd, afterwards shoot out, at the same time, both large Shoots for the Figure, and of those small ones which we desire for Fruit.

Not but that, as I will shew hereafter, the best Expedient in relation to very vigorous Trees; and even, if I may express my self so, obstinate in point of Fruit; I say, the best Expedient, is to go to the Source of their Vigour, which are the Roots: It is that Vigour which must be weaken'd, and consequently the most working Roots: diminish'd, and thereby you will diminish the effect which proceeds from several good Labourers; which acting at one and the same time, produce more Sap than is requir'd to such a Fruit-Tree: For, in fine, that Tree must according to our intention, quickly bear Fruit in a constrain'd Figure, the which is in no wise Natural to it; which it cannot do, when the Sap, being over abundant, produces every where, none but over large Branches.

The Experience which every one may acquire in the practice of these two Maxims, and particularly that which relates to the Pruning of weak Trees; that Experience, I say, will perfectly establish them for ever; and as for other Trees, I engage that every body will find a benefit by it; and I affirm, above all things, that it will be a great help to all Gard'ners, who are to mannage great Fruit-Gardens; and who, as it is very much to be wish'd, will Prune the greatest part of their Trees themselves.

As I am of Opinion, that they can do no better than to follow this Advice, so they appear to me very blame-worthy, if they tarry to the end of Winter, and the time of those decreases of the Moons, of February and March, to begin to Prune; because, that is the greatest time of hurry for all manner of work relating to Gard'ners: All comes at once at the entrance of the Spring; the Tillage of the whole Garden, the Sowing of most Kitchen-Plants, the Budding of Artichokes, the making of the different Beds, the cleansing of the Walks; so that it is a strange confusion, to have at the same time, the most considerable of all Works to do; for it is the only one, in which no small faults can be committed, they are all considerable and pernicious; it is the Pruning of many Trees, and perhaps large Trees, Dwarfs and Espaliers, or Wall-Trees; without omitting the first pallisading of these; and whereas in that case, all things are done in a hurry, so they are commonly ill enough done: For to speak the Truth, every thing requiring an equal haste to be done, there are but few to which a Man can give that time, and application, which they require.

I have said by the by, that I did no ways matter the decrease of the Moon, &c. But I have not answer'd an Objection which some Gard'ners pretend to be invincible, and in which, in my Opinion, they are infinitely deceiv'd; it is, say they, That the Winter Frost may spoil the extremities of the Branch that is Prun'd; and that if it be not to be fear'd so much for Kernel-Fruits, yet at least it is very dangerous for Stone-Fruit, they pre∣tending that the Wood of those Trees is very tender, because it is very pithy; I will only desire those scrupulous Persons, to lay aside that apprehension, and I assure them, that the Experiment they will make of it, without prejudice, will fully cure them of their Er∣ror; we have had within these Seven or Eighth Years, the hardest Winters in the Memo∣ry of any Living Man. I had Prun'd my Peach-Trees before that great Cold, and I never found the least inconveniency by it.

I am fully perswaded, that it is safe to Prune as often as the Cold is not so violent, as personally to prejudice the Pruner; there are only certain days of white or hoary Frost, in which the Wood being altogether cover'd with a rimy Frost, the Pruning-knife, tho' never so sharp, cannot cut through it cleverly; and so, whereas a Man ought to Prune

with delight; to do it well, 'tis certainly impossible at that time, and therefore it is neces∣sary to defer Pruning, until that Frost be altogether melted and gone.

The proper times for Pruning being regulated, we must proceed to something more Material and Curious.

As nothing is more creditable and Natural for a Workman, than to know certainly, why, and for what Reason, he does the Work he is employ'd about; so I am perswaded, that nothing can be more stupid, and below a Man, than to Act barely by Custom, and Habit: It is a fault which is but too common amongst most Gard'ners; they seldom Prune for any other Reason, than that it is customary. I am convinc'd that there is an indi∣spencible Necessity of knowing something more; without which, it is impossible ever to attain to any perfection in Pruning, which in my Opinion is an undeniable Truth: I cannot endure that a Gard'ner should be puzzl'd, and almost quite at a loss, when any body desires to know the Reasons of his Pruning: And that is the Subject I intend to Treat of in the following Chapter.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Reasons that oblige to Prune.

WE have two principal Reasons, which Prescribe and Authorise Pruning.

The First is, To be sure to have a greater abundance of fine Fruit, and sooner.

The Second is, To render the Tree at all times more agreeable to sight, than it would be, if it were not Prun'd: It is undeniable, that it is not only the Fruit and Leaves that render a Tree beautiful: They are indeed its greatest Ornaments, but there is something more requir'd; since the Fruit not remaining upon it all the Year round, it were to be wish'd, that when it is stript of those Adornments, or is not yet old enough to have them all; it may at least be compos'd, and shap'd so, as to delight the Eye.

Now that which, besides the importance of Fruit, renders a Tree pleasing to the Eye, is nothing but the beautiful Figure a skilful Gard'ner can give to it: And whereas we have two sorts of Trees, upon which particularly we Exercise Pruning, to wit Dwarfs, and Wall-Trees, we must establish good Principles to proceed prudently upon both: Those Princi∣ples relate particularly to the thick Branches, without which we cannot have beautiful Dwarfs; and by means of which it is easie, and even Infallible, to attain to a perfection in it; the whole Mystery of that Operation, shall be discover'd in the Chapters that Treat of the manner of Pruning Dwarfs; and Wall-Trees, there being no other Rules for the one than for the other.

I say first, That for those two sorts of Trees, it must be granted, that their Figures being so opposite the one to the other, the Beauty consequently must needs be so too, therefore I think it will not be amiss, to shew in what, particularly, I faney, that those two diffe∣rent kind of Beauties may consist.

And perhaps, after that, it will not be improper to compare, in that respect, a good Gard'ner, to a skilful Carver; For as the latter, conformably to the Idea which fills his Imagination, ought at first sight, to behold in his Marble, the Figure he designs to work out of it, and consequently to behold distinctly in it, the place of every particular Beau∣ty, of which it is to be compos'd.

So an Understanding Gard'ner, conformably to the Idea he shall have fram'd to him∣self of a fine Tree, must at a view behold whatever is to be done in any Tree, either to beautifie it, when it is not so, or to preserve it in its Beauty, when it has acquir'd it; whether it be to render it useful; or, for Example, to see where the Fruit shall be, and consequently the Branches that shall produce it; to observe the Branches that must be taken off, and those that must be preserv'd, to give it an agreeable Figure, &c. And as from time to time, the Carver draws back from his Work, to see whether he has per∣form'd or executed his Thought well; so a skilful Gard'ner, in Pruning his Tree, ought to do the same thing; that is, to draw back from it, from time to time, to see whether he has really hit upon the beautiful Figure he designs to give it.

But before we enter into the explication of that Idea, or Notion of Beauty in Trees, it will be necessary to remember, That, as I have said in my Treatise of Plantations, we have but few of those that are call'd Fruit-Trees, that Naturally remain Low, Dwarfish, and, as I may say, Creeping enough, either to make regular Dwarfs, or yet less, to make Wall-Trees: All Trees, following the Inclination which Nature has given them, endeavour

to rise, and consequently 'tis only the Industry of the Gard'ners, who opposing the Course of Nature, hinders them from forming long Stems, and from growing Tall.

These Gard'ners knowing that, as we have already said, the Sap which is to form those Stems, lies partly in the Trees; much in the same manner, as the water which is to form the Spouts of Water-Works, lies in the Pipes: They have concluded from thence, that if they stopp'd the Passage which carries this Sap upwards, which is easie to do, by short'ning the Stems of the Trees, there wou'd be no further likelyhood of its grow∣ing to be a Standard; and so that Sap which is in motion, or strives to get out, without any possibility of being prevented, finding no longer a passage to rise up, as it ought, will discharge it self at the place where its Course has been interrupted, and will produce the same effect there, it would have done higher, had it had the liberty of ascending further; so that this Sap springing out of the sides, not only by many Overtures, which are al∣ready actually form'd there, but likewise by or through others, that it will make it self, proportionably as it is abundant, it will produce to the right and left a pretty considerable quantity of fine Branches.

I must now tell you, that if the Tree that is shorten'd be Planted in the open Air, it may be dispos'd to make a fine Dwarf; and if near any Wall, to make a fine Wall-Tree. I have also explain'd in the same Treatise of Plantations what is a Dwarf, and what a Wall-Tree. I have there shewn what was the Intention of those that first made them, and of what use they may be to us. I have likewise declar'd in it, that when the Walls are high, you must Plant Long Body'd Trees to garnish the top of the Wall; and that instead of leaving them there the liberty of forming a round Tree, as they wou'd do were they left at liberty, their Branches must be constrain'd, like those of the Trees that are shorten'd, as we will demonstrate; after having first explain'd where∣in the Beauty both of the one and the others does consist; I mean, of Dwarfs, and Wall-Trees.

CHAP. V.

Of the Idea of Beauty which the Dwarfs Require.

THE Beauty of Dwarfs requires two Conditions, the one in respect to the Stem, and the other of the Head: According to the first Condition, Dwarfs must be low Stem; and according to the second, they must have an open Head, that is, free from thick Branches in the middle; it must be round in its Circumference, and equally furnish'd with good Branches on the sides.

I will explain more particularly hereafter what I mean by that Opening of the Middle, and it shall be in the place where I shall give Directions how to attain to it; but in the mean time a Man must have a right apprehension of the four Conditions of that Figure, and be fully perswaded of it, in order to understand usefully my Maxims of Pruning, and grow Skilful in them, in case he approves them so well, as to be willing to Practise them.

I say nothing as yet of the heighth of the Head of those Dwarfs; it depends on the Age of the Trees, being low in those that are yet young, and rising in all according as they grow: But as much as is possible, I wou'd not willingly have it exceed Six or Seven Foot: It being better, in my Opinion, that those Trees shou'd grow in extent of Circum∣ference, and Breadth, than to let them rise high. The Pleasure of Sight, which dreads whatever Limits it too much, particularly in Gardens, besides the Persecution of the Winds, which easily beats down the Fruit of High Trees, makes me fix to that measure. As the Pruning of Dwarfs is incomparably more difficult, and consequently contains a great many more Rules than the Pruning of Wall-Trees. I will begin with that, before I speak of the other.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Idea of Beauty which Wall-Trees require; together with the Maxims of Pallisading.

TO advance our Wall-Trees to that perfection of Beauty which best becomes them; I am of Opinion, that it must be our particular care, that all the Branches of each Tree, in spreading over the sides of that part of the Wall which they are to garnish; must be so well stretch'd, and so equally plac'd, both on the right and lest; that in their whole extent, taking them from the place, whence they severally proceed, as far as all the extremities of their heighth and roundness, no part of the Tree may appear thinner or fuller than another; in so much, that at first sight, one may distinctly see all the Branches that compose it, so far as to be able, to tell them with ease, if so mind∣ed: Thinness is the greatest imperfection of Wall-Trees, as fulness is the greatest fault of Dwarfs; when I say, that I would have my Wall-Trees full, I do not mean, that they should be full of ill Branches, old, worn, or useless, as a great many ignorant Persons affect to have them; neither on the other hand, in desiring my Dwarfs to be open in the middle, would I have them empty, like the inside of a Glass, &c. I do particularly desire all Gard'ners, to be very mindful of these two Ideas of Beauty.

As to the Beauty of Wall-Trees, it is certainly disagreeable, to see their Branches crossing one another, which must be avoided as much as is possible; but whereas thinness, as I have already said, is in my Opinion, the defect the most contrary to the Beauty of those kind of Trees, I am for endeavouring to avoid it above all things; so that for that Reason, I will have it allow'd, nay and order'd too, to run them over one another in some occasions, and that particularly it may be allow'd for the great Branches, which are alone the foundation of all the Beauty of the Tree, to be sometimes drawn over small ones, or the small ones over them, otherwise it would be impossible to avoid the danger of fal∣ling into the disagreeable inconvenience of that unlucky Barrenness.

Those little Branches, which we may in some manner look upon here, as Temporary Branches; are commonly, as we have said, the only ones that must yield Fruit, and that is the Reason, why they have been carefully and preciously preserv'd; but whereas, af∣ter having given that Fruit, they must infallibly perish; they will be soon retrench'd from our Wall-Trees, and consequently they will soon supercede the reproach of crossing, they may have drawn upon the Gard'ner; and he shall thereby be freed from another reproach, which is much more to be fear'd, and that is the want of Fruit.

So then, that crossing must not be us'd, unless there be an absolute necessity; insomuch that when it can be avoided, I condemn the Gard'ners, who, either through Ignorance, or Negligence, have thereby destroy'd the agreeable Simetry their Wall-Trees might have had.

And because, that, in the first place, the only way of giving every one of those Trees the Beauty, which I have been speaking of, is by means of Pruning; and that in the second place, every Tree being compos'd of two Parts; of which the one is call'd the Stock or Stem, and the other the Branches; it is certainly upon those two parts, that the Pruning is to be perform'd, but yet much more upon the Branches, than upon the Stem.

And because, that chiefly in Trees, there are, as we have said, several kind of Branches, very different the one from the other, all having their particular Reasons, either to be taken away, or preserv'd; and among those that are to be preserv'd, some are to be shorten'd, because they are too long, and others to remain whole; so consequently, there must be a great deal of care taken, for the well mannaging of them both.

I do think my self indispensably oblig'd, to endeavour to unravel, if possible, all the distinctions that are to be made among those Branches; or otherwise it will not be possible to understand the Maxims I design to establish for Pruning well.

I am of Opinion, that I must take the same Method in this, as People do in Teach∣ing to Read: The First thing, is to learn the Letters of the Alphabet: The Second, how to use those Letters, to joyn two or three together, to form sillables; And, in fine, the Third, to Learn the Union of many Sillables, in order to make whole Words; and these Words following each other afterwards, compose both the Line and Page, &c.

In the same manner, will I first Teach, how to understand well the Branches of our Fruit-Trees, giving them Names that may express what they are, and then the Use and peculiar Function of each of them; to the end, that several of them, being well plac'd,

may render the Trees Beautiful, and dispose them soon to yield abundance of good Fruit. Perhaps on the occasion of this Comparison, it would not be improper to say; that as in Reading, Words are only form'd by the Reciprocal Function of the Vowels and Con∣sonants; so our Trees only become Beautiful, when they have at one and the same time, a reasonable proportion of Wood and Fruit-Branches; so that as the Vowels, or Conso∣nants asunder, can form no Words, or Discourse; neither can Wood, or Fruit-Branches asunder, compose a Beautiful Fruit-Tree.

CHAP. VII.

Of Branches in General.

RIghtly to understand the Doctrine of Branches; Five material Things must be observ'd.

First, That as they compose a considerable part of the Tree, they sprout out of two parts of it; some shoot directly out of the main body, and those are the first, and may be stil'd, the Elder, or Mothers; their number is not considerable; the others after∣wards are produc'd by these, and are as it were the Daughters of these Mother-Branches: The number of these last is infinite; for successively in their turns, they become every one Mother-Branches, to many others.

It must be noted, in the second place, that from the Body of every Branch, when the Tree is in a good Case, there yearly grow new ones at the extremities of it; and that more or less, according to the strength or weakness of that Branch, which I shall call Mother-Branch, in relation to the new ones it produceth.

In the third place, you must observe that these new Branches grow in two different man∣ners; the one in a Regular Order, which is the best, the most common, and most frequent; the others in an Irregular Order, which is the least common, and least fre∣quent.

That Order, which is most common, and the best of the Production of the new Branches, when they produce more than one, is, that tho' both the one and the other at the same time issue from the extremities of one that is more Ancient, whether Prun'd, or not, they are notwithstanding regularly all of a different thickness, and length; for every one of the highest, are always both thicker and longer than any of those that are imme∣diately under them, drawing nearer to the Body: I said, when it produces more than one; for when the Mother-Branch brings forth but one, the Daughter at the end of the Summer proves as large as the Mother, and is very good; when that Mother yields two, that which is grown from the extremity, which I call the first, or highest, is thicker and longer than that which is grown immediately beneath it, which I name the second, or lowest: And in the same manner, when the Mother-Branch produces three, four, five, &c. As the first, that is the highest, is thicker and longer than the second, so the second in the same manner exceeds the third, the third the fourth; and so by degrees, what ever quan∣tity of new Branches the Mother-Branch may produce, as it appears by the Figures.

This being granted, it is easie to judge, that the Order which is least Common, and worst in the Production of new Branches, is, when the Common Order is inverted, so that there are weak ones in the place where there ought to be thick ones; and that on the con∣trary, there are large ones, where they ought to be weak, and where perhaps there ought to be none; as it appears by the Figure of Branches mark'd with a *.

It is not enough to know whence the Branches proceed, nor the Order in which they come forth; it is requisite to know, in the fourth place, that as that greater or smaller number of Branches, depends upon the force or weakness of the Mother-Branch; I think, that to make my self the better understood, it will be sit to call those strong, which are thick; and to call those weak, which are small; every one of those Branches having their Functions Regulated according to their Degrees of Force, or Weakness; so that they seldom incroach upon one another, being wholly apply'd to the discharge of the first Duty which Nature seems to have impos'd upon them, in forming them.

In the fifth place, you must note, and this is the most Material Point; that among all the Branches, whether strong or weak; there are some which have the real Character of good, of which a great many must be preserv'd: There are likewise some which have the real Character of bad ones; for which reason, a Name of Reprobation is given them: In regularity, almost all these last ought to be expell'd; let us observe how to distinguish the one certainly from the other.

[illustration]

Different Situations of the first Branches produced sometimes, by a Tree newly planted

[illustration]

CHAP. VIII.

To know the difference of Good and Ill Branches.

WE have two Certain and Infallible marks in relation to Fruit-Trees, certainly to distinguish the good and ill Branches from each other, either while they are still upon the Tree, or when they are cut off: The one depends upon the difference of their Scituation, and Original, and the other from the difference of their Eyes, or Buds.

I suppose that every body knows that there are Eyes upon every Branch, which are little knotty places, a little elevated above the rest of the Bark; it is upon those little pla∣ces that the Leaves are actually fix'd, as they are seen there in the Summer time; or at least some have been fix'd there some time before, which may either have dropt of them∣selves, or perhaps have been taken off.

What we learn by that difference of Scituation, and Original, is first, that the Branches to be good, must absolutely, and only proceed from the extremities of those which were remaining upon the Tree, at the entrance of the Spring, whether they were form'd in the last year, or some years before; or likewise whether the one and the others have been Prun'd as is Customary, or not; as it happens sometimes, for Example, in Standard-Trees. In fine, as we only speak here in relation to Trees that are liable to Pruning, it must be granted, that it is only from the extremity of Branches, tho' never so Old, which have been Prun'd, at the Season of the last Pruning, that the New Branches must proceed: In the second place, what we gather from the difference of Scituation, and Original of new Branches, is, That those Branches, to be good, must have been produc'd in the most ordinary and most common Order of Nature, as we have heretofore explain'd it.

From thence two things must be concluded: The first, that any Branch which, instead of being grown from the extremity of that which had been form'd the preceeding Summer, or at least from the extremity of that which had been taken shorter at the last Pruning, proceeds from any other part of the Tree, be it either from the Stem, or some other Old Branch, that had not been Prun'd: I say it must be concluded, that such a Branch, of what∣ever size, thick or small, is an ill Branch, as I will demonstrate hereafter.

And what must be concluded in the second place, is, That any Branch which, instead of being grown in the good order of Nature, being either thicker or longer than that which is immediately beneath it, drawing towards the Superiour Extremity; it must, I say, be concluded that such a Branch is likewise nought: It is for those kind of Branches that the name of false wood has been made, to express that those Branches are incapable of performing what we desire; they must be us'd altogether in a different manner from the good ones. We will set down particular Maxims to that effect.

But whereas I do not think it sufficient to have methinks, pretty intelligibly explain'd the difference of Branches, by that which is grounded upon the difference of their Scitua∣tion, and Original; I will moreover explain the other, which is founded upon the dif∣ference of their Eyes.

The Mark of the good ones by that difference of Eyes, requires that in the whole ex∣tent of the Branch, the Eyes should be thick, and well fed, and very close one to ano∣ther; whereas the mark of the bad ones by those same Eyes, is that in all the lower part of such Branches those Eyes are flat, ill fed, and hardly form'd, and very distant the one from the other.

These two different Marks, as well by Situations, as by Eyes, are easily known in the Figures annex'd hereunto A. B. in which the ill ones are mark'd with a *.

You may see both very good, and very bad ones, as well among the thick and strong ones, as among those that are small and feeble. As to these, their weakness, is sometimes so excessive, that like sapless Branches, incapable of bearing Fruit, or at least of nourishing and sustaining the weight of their Fruit, they must be wholly taken off from our Fruit-Trees, and especially from the Dwarfs, of which the Branches are not tack'd; because that to do well, we must suffer nothing that is not good.

The good weak Branches, I mean those which being well plac'd, and of a mean thick∣ness, and length, are as it were proper and certain Instruments to produce Speedy, Beau∣tiful and Good Fruit, and are infallibly so, provided the Frost spoils nothing, either while they are in Blossom, or soon after the Fruit is knit; for such Branches seldom fail of producing Blossom-Buds; and besides, cannot possibly serve to any end but yielding of Fruit, unless contrary to the Natural and Common Order of Vegetation, they shou'd happen to have certain overflowings of Sap to thicken them in an extraordinary manner,

and so alter their Property; that is, convert them into Branches for Wood; which hap∣pens sometimes in all manner of Trees, particulaely in such as have been ill Prun'd: I will explain in the Sequel, what Method is fit to be us'd in such Occasions.

The good strong Branches, of which the Principal Use is first to begin, and then continue to give the Trees a proper Figure, which they can receive by no other means, are particu∣larly employ'd in producing yearly on their Extremities other good new Branches, some strong, and others weak, as it appears by the Figure A. And the great Skill of the Gard∣ner consists in making a good use of both.

And to that end, as it is material to preserve the good weak ones for Fruit, which is the peculiar End of Fruit-Gardens, it is likewise very necessary to work prudently to man∣nage our Operations upon the good strong ones: It is true, that it is requisite to preserve on the Extremities of every Old Branch some of those new strong ones that are grown there, but that commonly extends but to a small Number; for Example, to one only; and sometimes the Mother-Branch being extraordinarily Vigorous, it may extend to two, or three; as I will demonstrate hereafter, in explaining the manner of Pruning, for which we must have very good Reasons; for if too many were preserv'd, we shou'd certainly fall into the inconvenience of Confusion, which inconvenience spoils the whole disposition towards Fruit, as well as the beauty of the Figure.

There is chiefly a great deal of Skill requir'd, to know how to take away entirely all the useless Branches, whether it be because they are worn or spent, or because they have no good qualifications; and the same concerning those that are to be preserv'd, to know how to regulate their length proportionably to their Force, and the Vigour of the whole Tree; so that afterwards every one of them may be able to produce on its Extremity just as many good Branches as are necessary either for the Fruit, or for the perfecting the Beauty of the Tree, or for preserving it when it is establish'd: And this is what we call the Common Pruning of Trees.

CHAP. IX.

Of the Explication of the Words of Strong and Strength, of Weak and Weakness.

WHereas in this Treatise of Pruning, I am of Necessity oblig'd, to make use fre∣quently of the Words of Strong and Strength, of Weak and Weakness; which Words bear a double meaning, and therefore might puzzle the Reader; I think it will be proper, before I enter into the particulars of that matter, to give a short Account of the Sence, in which I take and use them; I must omit nothing of what may help me to avoid the ambiguity which those Terms might create in my Maxims. Lest that not be∣ing well understood, being Paradoxes, they might not at first meet with all the approba∣tion I could wish them, and hope to procure them in the sequel.

When ever then I speak here, of strong Branches, and strong Roots; I mean, as I have already hinted, such as are thick; and likewise, speaking of weak Branches, I mean such as are small: Moreover, when I speak of a strong Tree, I mean a vigorous Tree; that is, a Tree that produces a great many fine thick Branches; and in speaking of a weak Tree, I mean a languishing Tree; that is, a Tree that yields but very few shoots, and for the most part all small.

This being agreed on, and conformably to the Sence, in which the words of Strong and Strength, of Weak and Weakness, are commonly taken, when us'd in speaking some∣times of Animals, and sometimes of Timber to Build with, in relation to the burthens they are able to bear.

I say, in speaking of the Pruning of Branches, that those that are strong must be kept short, I mean those that are thick; and that the weak ones must be kept long, that is, those that are small; and in speaking of the Pruning of Roots, I prescribe a clean contra∣ry Method from the Branches; for we must keep them short, that are weak and small, and those that are thick, strong, and better nourish'd, a little longer••; as I explain in the Treatise of the Plantations, in that part where I give directions for preparing Trees to Plant.

I likewise call Apple-Trees, graffed upon Paradice-Stocks, weak Trees; as also early Cherry-Trees, graffed upon common Cherry-Stocks; as I say, that those that are graffed upon free Stocks, that is, upon good Wildlings, are strong and vigorous Trees; these

being really capable' of producing and bearing a great deal, and the others but very little.

It is likewise in that Sense, that after having regulated of what thickness partly the Trees of each kind ought to be, to be proper to be chosen and Planted by a skilful Gard'ner; I say in that Case, observing the difference between the one and the other; that for Example, such a Pear-Tree, or such a Peach-Tree, in which I find a fitting thick∣ness, is strong enough, and so will be fit to be Planted: I say likewise that another Tree of that Kind, being of an excessive thickness, is too strong; and that on the contrary, another of that Kind, in which that necessary thickness is wanting, is too weak: It is likewise in that Sense, that it may truly be said, that the Trees which grow slowly, and never grow extream Tall, are the Weakest; witness the Quince-Tree, the Elder, the Medlar, the * 1.4 Hazzle, or Nut-Tree, the Paradice Apple-Tree, &c.

I maintain two things more in the same Sense.

The first is, That care must be taken that the weak Branch which is full of Buds, be however strong enough to bear the weight of its Fruit, because that otherwise, if it be too weak, it will break under it; and therefore I maintain that no more must be left upon each, than in proportion to the strength it may have to bear it.

The second thing I maintain, relates particularly to the Graffs that are made Cleft-wise, upon which, when a Branch, being small at the time of its Graffing, becomes afterwards much thicker than before, methinks that it is hard forbearing to say that it is grown the stronger by it, there being no likelyhood of maintaining, on the contrary, that the thicker it is, the weaker it is.

From all I have been saying, to explain the signification of those words Strong and Strength, Weak and Weakness, it follows, that they may, according to my sence, be usefully employ'd, and distinctly understood in the Treatise of the Pruning of Trees.

Now, among these Trees, there are some which yearly produce a great quantity of thick Branches, and few small ones: There are some that produce a reasonable number of both; and in fine, there are some which grow but little either from Foot, or Head; That is, that produce but few new Roots under Ground, and even those all small ones, and but few new Branches above ground, and those likewise almost all short and small; which are consequently far from appearing, as they say commonly, Fine, Strong, and Vigorous Trees; but, on the contrary, look, if I may express my self so, Sick, and Lan∣guishing.

This Production of different Branches, is only the Work of Nature, which is perform'd innocently, and without the least dependance on the Reasonings of Philosophy; and tho' this Production has not been the work of the Meditation of Man, yet it has furnish'd him a fair Subject to work upon; so that we pretend to have drawn great Instructions from it, towards the Cultivating and Management of our Fruit-Gardens.

Being then certain, that all the Parts, of which all manner of Trees are Compos'd, do not receive an equal quantity of Sap, since all the Branches are not of an equal thickness, and length; I mean, some being considerably thicker, and harder to break, which conse∣quently may be said to be stronger than others their Neighbours: Being likewise certain, that upon the same Trees, there are certain Branches, which are considerably smaller, and more easie to break, and therefore may be said to be weaker than other Neighbour∣ing ones.

It is moreover certain, as I have heretofore offer'd, and 'tis what I have observ'd (which perhaps few had done before me) I say it is certain, that very seldom Fruit-Buds form themselves upon thick and strong Branches; so that, for Instance, if a Pear-Tree pro∣duce none but such, it will commonly bear no Pears; whereas, on the contrary, the small and weak Branches produce generally a great deal of Fruit; insomuch, that if sometimes in one and the same Tree all one side appears as it were Pining, in not having produc'd any new Branches, or at least but very weak ones: It is observable, that that side grows ordinarily full of Fruit-buds, while the other part of the Tree, which by the abundance of Fine Branches appears very Healthy and Vigorous, produces but very few, and often none at all.

This Observation has put me upon performing two Operations which I have found very successful. The first is, that when a Fruit-Tree remains several years without produ∣cing hardly any thing besides these kind of Branches of an extraordinary thickness and length; and consequently bears but little Fruit: In that case I have found no better and readier way to make it Fruitful, than by the extraordinary Pruning I have mention'd heretofore; that is, by applying my self at the beginning of the Spring to the Source or Spring of that Force and Vigour, which are the Roots, in order to diminish their Action; and to that end I lay open half the Foot of that Tree, and wholly take away one or two,

and sometimes more of the thickest and most active Roots I meet with, and retrench them so well from the Place where they grow, that there does not remain the least part capable of performing the least Function of a Root; by that means I prevent the Luxu∣riance of the Sap for the future, and consequently render the whole Head less Vigorous; whence it follows, that it Shoots less of these thick Branches, and more small ones, and thus it is dispos'd to bear Fruit.

The second Operation is that, when in the Month of May a Branch shoots out of an extraordinary thickness, either in the ordinary Course of an old Planted Tree, or in the first Years of Graffing, and that consequently it will be evident that such a Branch will be at the same time very long, and have no Disposition to bear Fruit; this being grounded upon the Reason of its Strength, or Thickness, which proceeds from too great an abundance of Sap; in such a case, I am of Opinion, that it is easie for those that are willing so to do; to divide, as I may call it, that Torrent of Sap; and whereas instead that its whole Tendency was only to the Production of a thick Branch, which for the most part would he of no Use at all, it is easie to reduce it, and as it were oblige it to make several very good ones, whereof one part will be weak for Fruit, and others suffi∣ciently thick for Wood.

And that is fit to be done in the Month of May: Therefore at that time I cause that young thick Shoot to be Pinch'd, that is broken with the Nail, and leave it no greater length than that of two, three, or four Eyes at most.

Hereafter I will explain the manner, and success of such an Operation, after having ex∣plain'd what relates to Pruning.

But before I enter into the particulars of Pruning; I suppose, that we are to Prune either young Trees, which have never yet felt the Pruning Knife; and, for Example, have not been Planted above a Year or two; or Old Trees, which have already been Prun'd several Years before.

I suppose besides, that these old Trees are in a good condition, as having been govern'd by Persons of Understanding, so that they only want being preserv'd; or else that they are in an ill case, either for having always been neglected; that is, not Prun'd; or else, for having been ill Prun'd; so that it may be necessary to endeavour the correcting of their defects.

I do not really believe, that I may so foresee all the Cases of Pruning, as without for∣getting one, be able to give Rules for every one that may happen; I am far from being so presumptuous, knowing, that it is almost, in this case, as it is in Physick, and in the matter of Law-Suits: Hypocrates and Gallen, with so many Aphorisms for the one; Le Code and Le Digeste, with so many Regulations and Ord'nances for the other, have not been capable of foreseeing and providing against all, nor consequently to decide all, since there daily occur new Cases: All I pretend, is to give you exact Information of the Method I have practis'd for these Thirty Years with an extraordinary application, in which I have been very successful; as well as those who understand it, and who, in imitation of me, do me the Honour to Practise my Maxims.

To explain the particulars of this Method, I will divide what I have to say into three Classis; and First, in favour of the Curious, who begin to make New Plantations, I will speak of Trees newly Planted, upon which I will first give General Rules for the well Pruning of all the Shoots, which every Tree shall have produc'd; beginning with those of the first Year, and shall continue in the same manner from Year to Year, for five succes∣sive Years, in order to shew the effect of the Pruning of every one of these five Years; afterwards I will give other Rules to remedy certain defects, which will happen some∣times, notwithstanding the first cares of a Skilful Gard'ner: With all these precautions, and this Method, I have ground to believe, that a Gard'ner, who will be tollerably industri∣ous, may be sufficiently instructed in this matter to understand it, to take pleasure in it, and lastly, to perfect himself in it, by his own practice, as much as he shall have occasi∣on for.

After having thus labour'd in favour of the Curious, who have made new Plantations, and will mannage them themselves; I will proceed to the other Curious, who all on a sudden find themselves Masters of certain Gardens, wherein the Trees are old; whether those Trees have been for a long time well mannag'd, or ill, either through Ignorance or want of Skill; and I will endeavour to make them apprehend what I would do to them, were I to have the mannagement of them; This will be particularly of use to all kind of Gard'ners, who in all Seasons, casting their Eyes upon any Trees whatever, shall not only be desirous to judge of their good or ill Condition to satisfie others; but likewise, shall em∣ploy themselves in Pruning of them; or at least, to prescribe what should be done to them

[illustration]

P••; ••ol. 2

for the good of the Tree, or the Pleasure and Advantage of the owner: But first, it is necessary, to speak of the Tools that are necessary for Pruning, and the manner of using them.

CHAP. X.

Of the Tools that are necessary for Pruning, and of the manner of using them.

I Should not need to say, that in order to Prune, either Branches or Roots, two good Tools are necessarily requir'd, which are a Pruning Knife and a Saw, because 'tis no Novelty, since every body knows it as well as my self: But whereas, I am not to omit any thing relating to my Subject, I should think my self blame-worthy, if I did not speak of these Instruments.

Besides that, as I always aim at rend'ring the work easie, and that I am a mortal Ene∣my to confusion; I will destroy certain Portative Shops, which are a large and great Case, stuft up with a multitude of pretty large Tools, and consequently massive and heavy, which Gard'ners heretofore only us'd at the time of Pruning, and call'd it a Gard'ner's Budget: Now instead of all this stuff, I only desire these two little Tools, which may at all times be carry'd in the Pocket, without receiving the least trouble from their bigness or weight; so that on all occasions, People may not be without something about them, to take away in their Walks, whatever may be judg'd fit to be remov'd; otherwise it often happens, that certain things remain imperfect, for want of having about one, wherewith to correct it, as soon as it is taken notice of.

I say then, with every body, that the Saw serves here, to take off dry and old Wood, which is consequently very hard, and capable of spoiling the Pruning-Knife, or else to take away that which is ill-plac'd, or so thick, that it cannot easily, and at once be cut off with the Pruning-Knife. I say next, that this being granted, the Pruning-Knife must of necessity serve to cut off, at one cut, young, lively, tender, and well-plac'd Wood, of a moderate thickness; so that the Pruning-Knife must never be us'd upon any thing that would presently blunt its edge, and for which the Saw is more proper than it; nor like∣wise employ the Saw to retrench any Branches, which one good cut of the Pruning-Knife may cleverly perform.

But it is not sufficient to be agreed upon the Necessity and Use of these two Tools, for the different Occasions in which they are employ'd; perhaps it will not be useless be∣sides that, to make the description both of the one and the other. I begin by the Figure of the Pruning-Knives which I use, and which I look upon as the most convenient; for they are made several ways which I do not approve of, some being too hooked, in respect to their length, and others not enough; so that in my Opinion, neither the one nor the other are near so easie to work with, as those which keep a medium between these two Figures; I have often try'd them of all kinds, and have at last fix'd upon these that are figur'd here, which perhaps are of my own Invention; at least I have taken a great deal of pains to bring the Workmen to make them exactly according to the Model which I had given them, they still made them too crooked or too streight, and consequently in∣convenient; so that in this Case, the Figure of the Pruning-Knife is considerable.

However, it is not enough to have the Pruning-Knives well shap'd; besides that, their matter must be of good temper'd Steel, so that the edge may neither turn, or notch easi∣ly; they must be well whetted, often clean'd from the filth that fastens upon them in working, and set as often as the edge is observ'd not to run smoothly in cutting easily, in proportion to the strength apply'd to them; and besides, when there are many Trees to cut, 'tis fit to have many Pruning-Knives, to change them often; for without doubt, with good Tools, more work is done in one Day, and with more Pleasure, than could be done in two or three, having but indifferent ones, and yet worse having bad ones.

Besides this, the Blade of these Pruning-Knives must be of a moderate length, that is, but about two Inches to the part where the bending of the back begins, and afterwards, the whole hooked part to the extremity of the point, must have two Inches more, in∣somuch, that the extent of the outside, must not have above four Inches in all; besides this, the Handle must be more square than round, and a little rugged: Buck's-Horn is very fit for it; this Handle must be of a reasonable bigness, so as to sit the hand, and to hold it firm without turning, or slipping out of it, in putting ones strength to it; the

thickness of two Inches and eight Lines, or at most three Inches, is that which is fit for the use of a Man who actually Prunes all manner of Trees, that is, to cut here and there some small Branches: Such are fit for Gentlemen to have, to cut, as they are walking, such Branches as they observe to be ill-plac'd. This is all I can say of the Conditions of a good Pruning-Knife.

As for the Saw, in my Opinion it does not require so much ado; however its most commendable quality is to be streight: It must be of a very hard Mettal, and well tem∣per'd; old blades of Swords are very fit for it, and the Teeth must be of a good di∣stance, and well open'd, the one turning towards one side, the other on the 'tother, and the back must be very thin, or at least not so thick nor so substantial as the Teeth; other∣wise the Saw will not move easily, because the Teeth will soon be fill'd up, so that it will soon tire him that uses it, and make the Work advance but little.

It is not necessary that the Saws for the common use of Pruning shou'd be broad, half an Inch in breadth will suffice, they must not be very long neither, five or six Inches in length will do; and as for the handle it may be round; since it is to be push'd in a streight Line before one, that so its turning in the hand need not be fear'd, as a Pruning-Knife with a Round Handle wou'd do. It will be thick enough, provided in that part where it is thickest, which is the Extremity, where the point of the Blade meets when it shuts, it has about two Inches, and seven or eight Lines Circumference; and on the other Extre∣mity, somewhat less than two Inches; and thus one shall have folding-Saws, which may be carry'd in the Pocket as easily as the Pruning-Knives, the Blade closing into the Han∣dle, which will be very Convenient, and very Necessary for a Gard'ner.

I do think it a very great matter to have good Tools, but that is not enough, there is some Skill requir'd to use them well, either for the expedition of Business, or to avoid some Accidents. This is a Prentiship which generally costs some blood to those who begin to work, without having had good Directions. There are some necessary Precautions rela∣ting to the manner of placing the whole Body well, and particularly of placing the left hand well, without which, a Learner is in great danger of hurting himself; therefore I think it very proper to Instruct him in it at first.

To that end, I say, first, that the Person must be dispos'd and planted near his Tree, in such a manner as to stand firm, so as to be able with ease to make use of his Instruments with his full Strength and Vigour: In the second place, he must hold his Tools as firm as can be, that they may not turn in his hand: And, in the third place, as to his Pruning-Knife, he must always begin his Pruning, that is, to Cut, on that side which is opposite to the Eye, or the Branch upon which he cuts, which must after that make the extremity of the Branch which is cut: And in fine, whether he cuts to the Right, which is towards home, and is the most common; or whether he cuts with a back hand, as it is often necessa∣ry; and proper to be done, he must still take care, and use the precaution of putting his left hand underneath, and close to the place which is to be cut, there to remain as it were fix'd, and to hold the part he grasps so steady that it may not stir or move in the least; and so consequently resist the force of the Right hand in cutting; otherwise if the left hand should quit its hold, the Pruning-Knife would no doubt meet with it, and wound it dangerously.

Besides this, that Right hand must be us'd, not only to hold the Pruning-Knife so, that the edge may be mov'd Flat-wise, and Horizontally, but also use it to stop short after the effort it has exerted in cutting, that you may cut nothing but the Branch or Root that you intend to Cut, without touching any of the Neighbouring ones, which must so care∣fully be preserv'd, as neither to be any wise Cut, or Wounded; and therefore before you come to present the Pruning-Knife, you must rightly observe the Situation of the Neigh∣bouring Branches, and partly consider, not only how the hand must go in Cutting, for that hand in moving must give a certain turn to the Pruning-Knife, that the Point may meet with nothing; but you must likewise feel how far the force you must use to carry off at once the part you design to remove may carry you, lest the Pruning-Knife in its way might harm some of the Neighbouring Branches; and this we call Cutting Dry, as it must be done to Prune well, that is to Cut cleverly; so that if it be a Branch, the Cut may be in some manner round, and flat; at least it must in no wise be long, as Unskilful People do it; and if it happen to be made long-wise, you must make use of your Pruning-Knife again, to take away that Deformity; noting however, that it must be done in a different manner from Roots, which must be cut absolutely like the Foot of a Hind, that is somewhat long-wise: We have given a Reason for it in the Chapter of Plantations.

When by a frequent Exercise, or habit of Pruning, a Man is become handy, and bold in Cutting, he may very well, especially in the Case of certain green Branches, thick enough to be taken away, I say he may very well place his left hand above the right, to

grasp, and gently bend such Branches in drawing them towards him; and by that means, such Branches will really prove more easie to be Cut; in so much that a Man will often be surpriz'd to find so great a Branch so easily cut off at one stroak; but then this Left Hand must be at such a distance from the Right, that the great strength he must use to cut at once the Branch in question, may not carry it as far as that Left Hand; and it is very ne∣cessary to observe, that as in Cutting, the Right hand moves towards the Left, so that likewise should move away from it, in carrying off, as I may call it, the Booty which the Right Hand has newly prepar'd for it; or otherwise, as we have already said, that Left Hand wou'd run a great hazard of receiving a dangerous wound, which happens but too often.

Let us say moreover, that in order to Cut well, every Branch must be within reach of him that Cuts it; in so much that he may be able to Cut it without straining himself; that is, that such a Branch shou'd reach up to the stomach of the Gard'ner: If it be much lower, he must be forc'd to stoop so as to put one knee to the ground, if it be needful; and if that Branch be too high, he must get upon something, either a Ladder, or Steps, to the end that he may Cut it with ease, and without straining himself; for he would run a great bazard of hurting himself, or of splitting the Branch in cutting it downwards: It is not so dangerous to cut upwards; provided, as I have said, the Left Hand be below the Right.

I may say by the by, that Vine-Leaves are a Natural Balm to stop the Blood of the Wounds a Man receives in Pruning, they take away the Pain, and close up the Wound in a very little time. The tenderest Leaves are commonly the best, and for want of green Leaves, the old ones may serve: I have formerly Experienc'd that Remedy, and often upon my self; and have always found so much benefit by it, that I willingly advise our New Virtuoso's to use it upon occasion.

As for the Saw, those that are to use it, must, contrary to what is done with the Pru∣ning-Knife, as much as possibly can be, place the Left Hand above the Right, and lean hard upon the part which is to be Saw'd, to hinder it from stirring; otherwise the Saw would not play well. That done, they must hold the handle of the Saw in such a man∣ner that the But-end may not reach above the middle of the Palm of the Hand, and just underneath the Thumb, where it must in some manner be stay'd, or supported, to move the Saw the better; in order to which, it is likewise proper that the Fore-Finger should be stretch'd along the Handle, as far as the edge of the Blade, to conduct the motion of the Saw the streighter; and to that end, is requir'd, in the first place, a considerable appli∣cation of the Mind to what is to be Saw'd, without the least distraction by any thing; and at the same time, the Saw must be manag'd with an extream quickness and Vigour; for working slowly, or thinking upon any thing else, the Work wou'd not succeed well, and the Saw would often bend, or break: You must not Saw quite through, but stop just close to the last Bark, otherwise you might be in danger of tearing the Bark from off the remaining Branch, and consequently peel it dangerously; so that the Pruning-Knife must always end the work of the Saw, both to cut off clean what has not been made an end of Sawing, and to smooth the part that has been Saw'd; that is, to cut off all that remains rough from the Action of Sawing, since otherwise it would hardly recover, the Saw ha∣ving in some manner burnt the part so Saw'd.

There are likewise certain Occasions, in which the Left Hand, by gently bending the Branch to be Saw'd, makes the Saw play the better; and sooner, and more neatly finishes the Work: But you must be very exact in the strength you use, or apply in bending, lest you should make a dangerous Slit in the part that is to remain. This is what I had to say, as to our Tools; let us now proceed to the application of the use that is to be made of them.

CHAP. XI.

Of the manner of Pruning Trees, in the first year of their being Planted.

A Fruit-Tree of what kind soever, Pear-Tree, Apple-Tree, Plumb-Tree, Peach-Tree, &c. which seem'd to promise all the good and necessary Qualifications requir'd in order to be Planted, and has actually been Planted with all the Skill and Consideration which we have heretofore explain'd in the Chapter of Plantations: This Fruit-Tree, I say, from the Month of March, until the Months of September and October following, will of necessity perform one of these four Things; either it will not Shoot at all, or little, or it will Shoot

reasonably; that is, at least One Fine Branch, or else it will Shoot much, that is, Two or Three Fine Branches, and perhaps more, as it appears by the Figures. We must exactly Explain what is to be done, in these Four Particulars.

CHAP. XII.

Of the first Pruning of a Tree that has not Sprouted at all the first Year.

AS to the first Case, in which we suppose the Tree to have shot forth nothing the first Year, perhaps it may be dead, and appears visibly so; and perhaps it is really dead, tho' it does not seem to be so, by reason of a little Green which the Pruning-Knife discovers under the Bark; for without doubt it may seem alive at the Head, and yet be dead at the Root, and that is likewise call'd being quite dead, without however appearing so outwardly; or else it may seem dead, either because it has produc'd nothing, or perhaps because part of the Stem is really dead, tho' it be no wise dead in the Principal Place, which is the Place of the Principle of Life, and of the thick Roots, on which de∣pends the whole Spring of Vegetation

When the Tree is dead on all sides, it is easily known by the dryness, or blackness either of the whole Stem, or a main part of it; especially if that blackness appears about the Graff; in which Case it is neither difficult of giving, nor of receiving good Advice; that is, such a Tree must be remov'd as soon as you are convinc'd of its being Dead, but ever with an intention of putting another in the room of it, at the first moderate Shower of Rain: Provided the death of such a Tree be perceiv'd in the Month of May, or at the beginning of June, 'till which time you may plant others in the room of it; but it is not so safe to be done during the rest of the Summer.

This Re-implacement sufficiently shews, that I design it should be done by means of those Trees which are brought up in Baskets; if, as I have so much exhorted People to do, the Curious have taken care to raise some in that manner, not only in the first year of their Planting, but likewise all the following years; to the end that this first year, and even at all times they may have the satisfaction of seeing their Garden perfectly Stock'd: Without doubt such Basket Trees in the Months of July and August would have shot their Roots beyond the Baskets, in case they had taken so well, as to produce very fine Shoots, which are the only ones you must re-implace, but it is very dangerous to take them out, to Transport or Plant them in the Summer, when their Roots are thus shot out; for they either break in removing, or as their Extremities are White, they easily blacken in a hot Air, and consequently perish; and cause the Tree to pine long, and even often kills it.

But if you do not use Baskets in the Months of May and June, you must stay until the return of the next Season of Planting, which is from November, to the middle of March, and then they may be us'd; or having none, you must Re-plant a new Tree well qua∣lify'd, in the Room of that which is dead.

In the mean time we must carefully examine how we happen'd to be deceiv'd in that Tree, in which we had observ'd all the appearances of a better fortune; since without that it should not have been Planted, to the end that if it be possible to discover or avoid the Inconveniencies that have kill'd it, we may endeavour to remedy it for the future.

For Example, it may be the great Cold during the Winter, which happens but seldom, * 1.5 or else the great Heat during the Summer, which may happen: Then since great Colds, and great Heats are capable of spoiling and ruining the Roots of a Tree, the best way to prevent it is, to cover the Foot of that which is newly Planted with something, for it is an ill Expedient to Plant it deeper than I have said in the Treatise of Plan∣tations, pretending thereby to preserve the Roots from the Cold or Heat: It is better then to Plant it according to our Rules, and take care in the Summer to cover the Foot with Fearn, or dry Dung, or else new drawn Weeds, &c.

If the Tree be dead only for want of watering, the new one must be water'd; if for * 1.6 want of good Mould, you must put some fresh there; if it proceed from having been too often and maliciously shaken or loosen'd at the time of the first Sprouting, it must be pre∣vented, by putting some fence before it, or not suffering the unlucky Wags that have done it, to come near it.

If it proceeds from having been Planted too low, or in too moist a Ground, the * 1.7 other must be Planted a little higher, or else the Ground rais'd to enable it to drain it self.

If it preceeds from having been under the shade of other Trees, or in the Neighbour-hood of some Wood or Pallisades, which by an Infinity of Roots exhaust all the Ground about them; you must resolve to remove either those Trees that make the Shade, or those that waste the Ground so much; and before you Re-plant any thing in their room, you must remove all the Earth that is worn out, to put better in the room of it, without ima∣gining to better it with Dung, or else resolve to Plant no more Fruit-Trees in that un∣happy Place.

If, in fine, some Moles have rais'd and shaken them, you must endeavour to catch them; if the Worms have gnaw'd them, they must be look'd for, and destroy'd; tho' as we have already said elsewhere, it be of all the Evils that may afflict Plantations the great∣est, most dangerous, and most incurable: All the Comfort that can be had in this is, That it is a kind of Torrent that must of necessity have its Course, but passes, and does not return often; and this is what I have to say as to a Tree which is, and actually ap∣pears dead the first year of its being Planted.

If the Tree remain green in the whole Stem, or at least in a great part of it, without having produc'd any thing, and that perhaps it be only a kind of Lethargy, which has in some measure benum'd the Vegetative Faculty, as it happens to some Orange-Trees newly Planted, which remain sometimes two, three, or four years without coming to any thing, and yet at last perform Wonders. 'Tis strange and difficult to apprehend, that the Prin∣ciple of Life of those kind of Trees, which in effect are so easie to take, and yet are so hard to dye, shou'd not withstanding be so difficult to be mov'd to begin some Roots: But this is not the Point in question here; our Fruit-Trees are not so long without shewing the certainty of their Life or Death.

In case, I say, this Fruit-Tree has preserv'd its greenness all the Summer, without producing any Shoots; it may perhaps give some hope of satisfaction for the time to come, but indeed that hope is very slight; and if it may be done conveniently, the surest way is to replant as soon as can be another new one, that appears better, or at least equal∣ly good in the room of it; but if no other can be had, I am still of Opinion that it will be proper in the Month of November to search round about that suspicious Foot, to see whether there appears any good beginning of thick Roots, or none at all.

In the First Case, that is, if any good Signs be discover'd, consisting in the beginning or growing of some thick Roots, which is very extraordinary; for as soon as any new Roots grow in Summer, new Shoots appear at the same time: If then, I say, any begin∣ning of thick Roots be discover'd, which perhaps only began to form themselves since the end of Summer, you must rest there, without doing any thing more, and only cover the Place well again where you have open'd the Ground; and besides, the following Summer take some extraordinary Carefrom time to time to Water it, if the Ground and the Sea∣son seem to requireit: Such a Tree may very well make up the time it has lost, and become fine the following years.

In the Second Case, that is when the Tree has perform'd nothing by its Root, it must be wholly taken out of the Ground, and Prun'd again, that is, according to the Term of a Gard'ner, all its Roots must be refresh'd, doing the same to the Head, of which the Ex∣tremity may perhaps be dead; and in such a Case it must be refresh'd as far as the quick, and then the Tree may be re-planted at that very time, and in the same place, if it be judg'd worth it, having preserv'd its Roots sound and entire, or you must fling it quite a∣way, if the principal Roots be defective, either in being dry, or black, or being actually rotten, or gnaw'd, as it happens sometimes, for in that Case no good can be expected from them: The Case is different, when there are only some small Roots tainted, tho' it be not a good Sign: but however, in that Case it wou'd be sufficient to Cut them again to the quick, and Re-plant the Tree in the same place where it has given Cause to believe its Destiny doubtful: I have pretty often Re-planted such Trees in Nurseries, where they have thriven so well, that some years after I have successfully given them some of the Chief Places of the Garden, and yet I had Planted very good new Trees in the Places where those could not thrive: It is very difficult to have perfect Plantations without all those necessary Considerations.

The Coolness of a moist Ground is sometimes sufficient to preserve for a year, or more, uncertain signs of Life, both in the Roots and Stem of a Tree, as well as it preserves it in Cut Branches, and yet without any certainty of their performing afterwards any happy Ope∣ration; that is, to Operate in the same manner as well qualify'd Trees use to do; therefore

it is fit to be very nice upon those kind of appearances of Life, by which so many People suffer themselves to be amuz'd and deceiv'd for so many Years. This is, what I had to say upon those appearances of Life, whether Good and Certain, or Ill and Doubtful.

CHAP. XIII.

Of the first Pruning of a Tree that has sprouted weakly.

I pass now to the second Article of a Tree newly Planted, which is to sprout but little, * 1.8 especially if the Shoot be weak, small, and yellowish, and sometimes accompany'd with some Fruit-Buds.

Upon which I declare, that I have but little more value for that Tree, than for the Preceeding, which we have just examin'd, and found it either quite Dead, as well in the Roots, as in the Stem, or only dead as to the Roots, tho' it appear'd green at the Bark; or else have found it to have yet some small signs of Life in the Roots, as well as in the Stem; both these, and the others, having still preserv'd some signs of Life; that is, some green, and a little Sap. Therefore when I am furnish'd with good Trees, I never fail reject∣ing this, altho' it has sprouted a little, as well as the preceeding which has not sprouted at all: But when I find my self in want, or unprovided, I am contented with cutting these little Shoots close to the Stem, shortning that above by the half; and besides, I never fail to search the Foot; and if I find that the Roots have Shot nothing, as it happens sometime, I pluck up the Tree quite, and refresh the Roots, to see if they are all sound; which being so, I plant them again, or else some of the Principals being spoil'd, I fling it away.

If in order to Replant such a Tree, I fear the Earth be not good enough, I put better in the room of it, this is the only good expedient to be us'd; the help of Dung being too uncertain and deceitful to rely upon it: In fine, I do the same thing to this Tree, as I do ei∣ther to that, which did nothing, but remain'd Green both at the Head and Roots, which we Prun'd anew every where, and afterwards Replanted, either in the Garden, or in the Nur∣sery; or else like the other, whose Head is really in a pretty good Condition, that is Green, but yet has its principal Roots entirely spoil'd, which, upon that account, we have rejected as dead therefore I ev'n look for a new Tree, to put in the room of that, which, as it were, only seem'd to Sprout, such little Shoots being properly but false marks of its having taken new Root, they being only produc'd by the effect of Rarefaction, and with∣out the help of the Roots, as I explain elsewhere.

That pitiful Fruit-Bud, which appears upon the languishing Head of that Tree newly Planted, far from producing in me the effect it operates upon so many Philosophers; that is, from raising any Joy in me, or giving me the least Consideration, either for the Father that has brought it to light, or for the Action by which it is produc'd, creates in me on the contrary, a real scorn for both; which confirming me in the Maxims I have ad∣vanc'd, to prove that Fruits are only marks of weakness, puts me upon the resolution of forsaking that Tree, and to fling it away like a piece of dead or useless Wood: This I do not only to low Trees, that are to make Dwarfs, or part of the Wall-Trees, but like∣wise to Standards, both the one and the other being a-like, in respect to their taking new Root.

I will say here by the by, that this despicable Bud, which I think I may call a Bud of Poverty, has rais'd a War between some Philosophers and I, because I will not grant them, that the Production of it is a sign of Vigour in the Tree, as commonly the Generation of Animals, is a mark of it in the Fathers.

I explain this matter more at large in my Reflections, not having thought it proper to proceed any further here upon the Reasonings I have had cause to make upon it, confor∣mably to a thousand irreproachable Experiences.

[illustration]

The Different Situations of the first Branches which a tree newly Planted somtimes makes.

CHAP. XIV.

Of the first Pruning of a Tree, that has at least produc'd one fine Branch.

WE must now proceed to the Third Article, which relates to our low Trees, newly Planted, either for a Dwarf, or Wall-Tree, and declare what we are to do if they Sprout reasonably; that is, at least one Beautiful, and sufficiently thick Branch, which is commonly attended with some weak ones.

In that case, we are to make Three particular Considerations, viz. Whether that fine Branch proceeds from the extremity of the Stem, the middle, or the lower part.

If altogether from the extremity, out of the fear of falling into the inconvenience I dread, which is a defect for a Dwarf, that is, its growing too high in the Stem, in∣to which inconvenience I should undoubtedly fall; if I perform'd my Pruning upon that new Shoot, I rather resolve to shorten the Stem of that young Tree about an Inch or two, and so put it back to the A. B. C. Being certain, that round the extremity where I shall lower it, it will produce fine new Branches, all well plac'd, and in a sufficient Number; and this is grounded upon that fine Shoot it has produc'd, which convinces me fully, that it has shot forth good Roots.

Thus in putting back perhaps the Pleasure of a Year, because I run the hazard of having my Fruit somewhat later; I avoid the dissatisfaction of having a Tree rise too high, as it would do, if I permitted it wholly to Shoot out of that Branch, which would offend me perpetually, whereas in taking it a little lower, I put it in a way of appearing with all the advantage that can be desir'd in a well order'd Tree; and consequently I put it in a condition of rewarding me yet better, as well by a fine Figure, as by the pleasure of a∣bundance of Fruit.

But if the fine Branch shoot out of the middle of the Stem, you must without hesita∣tion cut down the Stem to that Branch, and even shorten that Branch within the com∣pass of four or five Eyes at most, therein to place the whole foundation, and all the hope of a Beautiful figure in your Tree; it being certain, that at the place where you have shorten'd it, it will produce in the second Year at least two fine Branches, opposite to each other: This is sufficient to make a fine Tree, for those who know how to order it well; but if that shorten'd Branch shoots forth three or four, as it happens pretty often, the success will still be the more favourable, easie, and agreeable.

I suppose still, that the Gard'ners who are any thing careful, will have taken care to order that only Branch we speak of, in such a manner, that it may be very upright, in order to form a streight Tree upon its Center, as it is necessary it should be.

If they have been wanting as to that Precaution, they must have recourse to the grand Remedy, which is, to shorten that Branch within the compass of two or three Eyes, which rough Treatment had not been necessary, had it been well rear'd up from the beginning.

In Pruning that Branch, which is come here by its self, one may still preserve, not the very small Branches which I call Sappless, and must be utterly exterminated from our new planted Tree; but only some of those that are either short, or passably thick, or longish, and likewise passably thick, in whatever place either of them may be; provided they have pretty good Eyes, and are well plac'd, we may securely expect to have soon Fruit upon them, without fearing it might prejudice the vigour of our Tree, especially in stone Fruit, and even in Kernel Fruit, taking care however to shorten those Branches a little, which are really too long, without medling with the others that are short and pas∣sably thick.

The Reason why I do not hinder the preserving of some of those weak Branches, is, that being very certain, as I have so often repeated, that it is the small quantity of Sap which produces the Fruit, it follows from thence, that the little Sap that goes towards the making of it, cannot considerably prejudice our new Tree, and yet it will afford us a great deal of Pleasure in giving us Fruit betimes.

It is not that I think it a great fault, the first Year, unmercifully to take away all those hopes of the First Fruits: The Curious may do in this as they think fit, but for my part, I preserve them.

If our only Branch shoots out of the lower part of the Stem, we have Reason to rejoice at it, it is very well plac'd, provided the Gard'ner has taken care of it betimes, to keep

it upright, in case it were not so, as we have said of the Preceeding: We may with assu∣rance Prune it the heighth we desire it at, to begin a Fine Tree, whether it be a Dwarf, or Wall-Tree; but if it prove not streight, or without a probability of being streightned by some strong Ligature, it must be us'd like the other, that is, it must be shorten'd quite low to make it produce another that may be streight, otherwise the Tree would always be a-wry, and consequently of an ill Figure, still remembring that the Stem must be shorten'd close to the single Branch it has produc'd, and we have Prun'd.

I will say here, by the by, that when we Plant a Tree, we may according to appearances, but not demonstratively and infallibly assure that it will take Root: Yet less, in case it do's, can we assign in what part it will produce its first Shoot: But as for the Fine Branches produc'd by a Tree that has taken Root, which we have afterwards Prun'd, we may with some certainty affirm, that they will produce New ones on the Ex∣tremities on them which we have shorten'd, and partly guess at the quantity; so that this may be rely'd upon; and consequently if our Tree has only produc'd the single Branch we speak of, we may with certainty expect that being Prun'd somewhat short, it will at least shoot two fine ones, capable of performing in all respects what we have above establish'd for the beginning of the Beautiful Figure of a Tree.

I fancy then, that as to this Branch shot from the lower part of our Stem, we may partly allow it the same length we had allow'd that Stem in Planting the Tree, that is, about seven or eight Inches long, what ever place we have Planted it in, whether in Cold, or Moist Ground, or Hot, and Dry.

CHAP. XV.

Of the first Pruning of a Tree that has produc'd more than one Fine Branch.

AS to the Fourth Case, in which our new Planted Tree has produc'd two Fine Branch∣es, or three, or four, or more, with some weak ones among them.

We are to make other great Considerations upon them, which will engage us into different Chapters, Viz. In the first place, to know whether that Plurality of Branches be produc'd to ones liking; That is, whether they grow round about some part of the Stem, whether at the top, in the middle, or in the lower part; so that they may grow like a Branch-Candlestick, for a Dwarf, or like a Hand spread open for a Wall-Tree.

To know, in the second place, whether all those Branches are grown on one side, and all over one another.

Or whether in Degrees at a great distance from each other, tho' round about the Stem, or if sometimes they are all grown from one and the same Eye, and likewise whether it be on the top, middle, or lower part of the Stem.

Lastly, to know whether all those Branches of themselves are dispos'd to open and spread, or all of them to keep close together in a confus'd manner.

These are almost all the different ways in which the first short Shoots of every Tree newly Planted form themselves, when it is so happy as to take Root again, as it appears by the Figures hereunto annex'd.

I repeat again, that I do not Consider here, as any thing Considerable, the little small Branches, altho' they should be good to produce Fruit the very next year, which is often true in Stone Fruit, but seldom in Kernel Fruit: Woe to that Tree, what ever it be, which produces many of these, or no others; however, I will say what is fit to be done to them, after having ended the most material part of my Work.

They are only the great Branches I value in this Case, desiring to have a fine and good Tree; these, in respect to this, have been the first Object of my Wishes, and the only ones that can serve for the first foundation of my Tree, that is, in case they be Natu∣rally well plac'd, and I can give them a Pruning proper for my Intention, and for the Beauty of the Tree I am to manage.

For as the first Branches, tho' happy in their Original, may very well be ill order'd, and consequently give an ill beginning to a Tree, being handled by an Unskilful Hand; so likewise tho' those firrst Branches, at their first Sprouting, might happen to be found in a defective Situation, may very well with a little time, and good discipline be, as I have said, so Skilfully turn'd, that the defect of their Birth may not hinder them from being Mothers to a Well-shap'd, and Sightly Tree.

[illustration]

The different situations of the first Branches sometimes made by a Tree new planted Dwarfs

The first Caution I am to give here, is, that commonly all the thick Branches which grow the first year upon new Trees, are those we call Branches of false Wood, their Eyes discover it; and therefore must be Treated accordingly by Pruning, and even the weak and slender ones are commonly in that respect of the same Form with the thick ones, un∣less they did remain very short.

The second Advertisement, is, that the first Pruning I perform upon the thick Branches of New Dwarfs, differs but little from that I use the first year upon New Wall-Trees: It is true, that in these I easily constrain the most obstinate Branches, that is the worst grown, to put themselves into the Posture I desire, to attain the Beauty requir'd in a Wali-Tree; it serves likewise to afford me more Fruit, and finer; it is likewise true, that Dwarfs are, if that Expression may be us'd, a kind of half Volunteers, which indeed do part of what they have a mind to themselves; but yet commonly suffer themselves at the same time, to be conducted by my Industry, as well for the satisfaction of my Eyes, as for the delight of my Pallate: Only the Fruit-Branches can not be left so long upon Dwarfs, as upon Wall-Trees, because in those we have the Convenience of Tacking and Propping, which we have not in others.

CHAP. XVI.

Of the First Pruning of a Tree that has produc'd two Fine Branches, and both well Plac'd.

AS for what relates then to this Fourth Case, in which a Tree newly Planted has hap∣pily and vigorously produc'd more than one Fine Branch, with some weak ones a∣mong them: If, for instance, it has on the top of the Stem two almost equally strong, and well plac'd, that is one on one side, and another on the other, nothing can hardly be desir'd better, it is a very fair beginning to make a Fine Tree: The only thing in que∣stion is, to shorten them all equally within the compass of five or six Inches in length: But above all, you must take care that the two last Eyes of the Extremity of each of these Branches so shorten'd, look on the Right, and on the Left, upon the two bare sides, to the end, that each of them producing at least two new ones, these four may be so well plac'd, that they may be all preserv'd; and in order to that, if it be a Dwarf, they must all contribute to form the thin Round which we desire; and if it be a Wall-Tree, to form the flat and full Round, which we likewise design.

It would be ill Pruning, if those two last Eyes look'd, for Example, either on the inside of the Dwarf to begin to fill it, or the outside to begin to open too much; it being first re∣quir'd well to establish the first Beauty of the Figure of that Tree, which is to open in a Round equally garnish'd: For the same Reason, in relation to the Wall-Tree, the Pruning would not be sufficiently well perform'd, unless it were order'd so, that the two Eyes that are to be found on the Extremities of the two Branches that are to be shorten'd, should cast upon opposite sides the New Branches they are able to produce: for it is neces∣sary that those very Branches should have of themselves, and without the least violence a Natural disposition to place themselves well upon those parts of the Wall that we would cover, to the end that they may all be preserv'd; and so the first Vigorous Branches of that Wall-Tree have perform'd their duty, as well as the first Vigorous ones of the first Dwarf will have done theirs: However, it will still be fitting to have such necessary re∣gards both towards the one and the other, as may tend first, and chiefly, to a Roundness, which must be continu'd to that end, until the Round be almost perfect, and then we must begin to have two other Prospects to dwell upon; of which, the one is, to endeavour by all possible means to give a reasonable opening to that Tree, if it be a Dwarf, having al∣ready attain'd its roundness; and to fill it equally throughout its whole extent, if it be a Wall-Tree, likewise having its roundness; The other Prospect is, to preserve in both that Round which is already form'd, and must yearly grow in Circumference, without ever, as much as in us lies, suffering it to lose any thing of the Beauty of its Figure.

A particular Care must be taken, that if one of those two Branches has any advantage in thickness over the other, so that likely the one may well produce two other thick ones, while his Neighbour can yield but one; in such a Case, I say, care must be taken, that as well the two of the thickest, as the single one of that which is not so thick, may come forth so happily, that all three together may be preserv'd as fit and necessary for the Com∣posing of the Beautiful Figure in question: Otherwise, if there should be a necessity of

removing some, because ill-favouredly grown, it would prove a vexatious Loss, both in respect to the Tree, and Gard'ner. It is necessary to say here, that if, in these two kind of Trees in debate, a Fruit-Branch shou'd chance to be joyn'd to the two Wood-Branches, it may be preserv'd without any Consequence.

CHAP. XVII.

Of the first Pruning of a Tree that has only produc'd two Branches, both beautiful and thick, yet both ill-plac'd.

IF one of those first fine Branches the Tree has produc'd, be considerably lower than the other, or perhaps both on the same side; or may be the one on one side on the top of the Extremity, and the other quite at the bottom of the opposite side; in that Case, I say, you must fiercely and unmercifully resolve to preserve but one, and chuse the fittest to be∣gin a fine Figure; and consequently, you must cut off the other so close, that, in all pro∣bility, it may never be able to produce any thick ones in the same place; it being most certain, that if both were preserv'd, it cou'd never form a Tree of an agreeable Figure, the sight of which wou'd continually vex you, for not having order'd it well from its Infancy. The Ignorant perhaps may imagine, that this wou'd occasion the loss of a Year; but I can assure them of the contrary, if they will confide in me. In this Case then you must take down the Tree to the lowest branch, if you design to preserve that, which, indeed, is the most proper for our Design, and an infallible Means not to fear any other Branch ill-plac'd on that side: Or, if you must take off the lowest, as not being fit to contribute to the Beauty of the Tree, it must be cut within the thickness of a Crown-piece; for there seldom arises a necessity of cutting a thick new Branch, being ill-plac'd so close, that no∣thing at all may grow from it. I explain this sort of Pruning, together with that which is to be perform'd sloping, more at large in the 21. Chapter.

That Pruning within the thickness of a Crown-piece, will either produce nothing, or only weak Branches, which, far from spoiling any thing, will be fit to be preserv'd for Fruit. This way of Pruning supposes the Branch to be thick and vigorous; for had it been a moderate one, it must have been preserv'd entire, as a Fruit-Branch; if very thin, it must have been cut so close to the Stem, that no passage had remain'd for any thing new; and that particularly, it being very ill-plac'd, or the Tree having but a moderate Vigour.

This Case of a single Branch, which has been preserv'd, and must be prun'd, reduces it self to another heretofore explain'd, where our Tree at first produc'd but one fine Branch; and consequently, in order to the Pruning of this, you must follow the Method prescrib'd for the other, which is useless to repeat here.

It happens sometimes, that from one and the same Eye of a Tree newly planted, two fair Branches may proceed, without any others from any other part. In such a Case, they may both be preserv'd very well, whatever part of the Stem they are in; that is, if they are likely to serve to form a beautiful Figure, as it is possible, if the Vigour of the Foot, or the Care of the Gardner, have made them shoot streight upwards: But if either of them cannot serve towards that Figure, it will be necessary to take it away, and be con∣tented with that, of which a good use may be made; and that must be order'd according to the foregoing Method upon that Subject.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of the first Pruning of a Tree that has produc'd three or four fine Branches, well, or ill-plac'd.

IF our Tree has produc'd three or four fine, well-plac'd Branches, or else three or four ill-plac'd ones, and that all on the Extremity, or a little beneath it.

In the first of these Cases, we suppose that the three or four Branches are grown on the Extremity of the Stem, and in a proper place to form at first a fine Tree: In that Case, I say, they must, for the first time, be prun'd with all the same Regards we have explain'd

[illustration]

One and the same Tree differently Prund according to the different Branches it has Shot four years one after another

for the Pruning of the two first which were by themselves, and likewise well plac'd. In case these three or four be partly all of an equal thickness, they must all be us'd alike: If one or two of them should be somewhat less in thickness, but still fit to be Wood-Branches, or at least half Wood, and consequently capable of contributing to the Beauty of the Fi∣gure; in that Case those shall only be prun'd, with a prospect of getting one only new Branch from them, taking care at the same time to have it on that side which shall be found the most empty; and to that end, they must be shorten'd to an Eye that looks on that side; and Care must be likewise taken, that the two last Eyes of the others, which are stronger, may look towards the two opposite Sides, in order to begin to fill them up the more.

But if those three or four fine Branches shoot out a little below the Extremity, 'tis but shortning the Stem to them, and then do what I have been saying, when the Branches did at first shoot out from the top of the Stem.

In the second Case, where we suppose that the Branches produc'd, are most of them ill plac'd, insomuch that they cannot all conduce towards the forming a fine Tree, and con∣sequently cannot all be preserv'd, you must examine whether, among the three or four, there are not at least two pretty well situated; that is, the one on one side, and the other on the other, and whether the Degrees are not too distant to permit you to frame upon those some Foundation for your Figure; and that being so, those may very well satisfie you, cutting off the others within the thickness of a Crown-piece, as we have heretofore establish'd.

The two that are preserv'd, must be Prun'd with the same Regards heretofore explain'd for the Pruning of the two fine Branches, whether we have them by Choice, or by the good fortune of Vegetation; which having given but two, has given them in such a Situa∣tion as could be desir'd; and Care must be taken, that these two being Prun'd, they may be found afterwards of an equal heighth, though of a different length, to the end that those that may shoot from them may begin our Figure happily; for after that, it will be easie to go on with what has been so well begun.

I do not repeat what is to be done to the good weak Branches, having, in my Opinion, sufficiently observ'd, that they must be carefully preserv'd for Fruit, only shortning them a little on the Extremity, when they appear too weak for their length; not failing to take away the sapless ones, whatever quantity there be of them.

CHAP. XIX.

Of the Pruning of Trees that have produc'd to the Number of five, six, or seven fine Branches.

IN fine, our new Planted Tree may, as it happens sometimes in good Grounds, and par∣ticularly on fine Trees, that have been Planted with all necessary Regards, whether they be graffed upon Tree-Stocks, or upon Quince, I say, it may have produc'd to the number of five, six, or seven fine Branches, and even more. It wou'd be a good Fortune if they shou'd be all so happily plac'd, that they might be all preserv'd, without causing any Con∣fusion, as I have met with it sometimes; by which means it is easie to have soon a fine and good Tree. But as it is a Rarety to find them all well plac'd, I am of opinion, that it will be sufficient to preserve three or four of those, that a skilful Gard'ner shall judge, both by their situation and strength, to be the fittest for the Execution of our Design, and so Prune them, as we have explain'd in such a Case. This being so, he must wholly cut off all the others, if they happen to be higher than those that are preserv'd, especially if they be thick; for if they are weak, that is, fit for Fruit-Branches, he will do well to pre∣serve them until they have perform'd what they are capable of doing.

In case then there be a necessity of taking away some of those highest that are thick, they must either be cut off Stump-wise, to amuse a little Sap in them during two or three Years, or else the Stem must be shorten'd to them that are preserv'd; especially, the Tree not being very vigorous. But if there happen to be some thick ones lower than those which we preserve for ever, it is likewise convenient to preserve those low ones for a while, provided they spoil nothing in the Figure; because that for the space of two or three Years, they employ a little of that Sap, the Abundance of which is prejudi∣cial to us, both to compass Fruit, and to arrive at a beautiful Figure. But if such low Branches can annoy us, then, as we have already said, they must be cut within the

thickness of a Crown-piece, or else take them off close, when we find but a moderate Vi∣gour in the Foot of the Tree.

I still forewarn, that if, among the thick ones, there chance to be a great many weak ones, you must be contented with two or three of those that are best plac'd, and best condi∣tion'd, breaking off the Extremity of the longest a little, and not medling with those that are naturally short, and passably thick; and consequently, you must wholly take away the others, which would only cause a Confusion.

This, in my Opinion, is all that can be done for the first Pruning of Trees; I mean, for the Pruning of the first Branches they shall have produc'd, in the place where they have been newly Planted.

CHAP. XX.

Of the Second Pruning, which is to be perform'd the Third Year on a New Planted Tree.

THE first Pruning of those New Planted Trees being perform'd, and that upon the first Shoots they have produc'd the first Year of their being Planted, we now must shew the Success it ought apparently to produce, and what Conduct is to be held the following Year for the second Pruning; I mean, for the Pruning of the Twigs, that shall shoot from the Extremity of those that have been Prun'd the Year before: And to that End, I think it will be proper to follow the same Order I have establish'd for the first; that is, for the Pruning of the first Shoots they had produc'd.

But before I come to that, let us consider what is to be done to the Trees which had not succeeded well the first Year.

If the Fruit-Tree, which, without having produc'd any Branches the first Year, has been preserve'd, in hopes that, having still been green, and consequently alive, it might do better the second; I say, if that Tree does not begin betimes, that is, even in the Month of April, to shoot very vigorously, it is an infallible Sign, that it will never be good for any thing; and therefore, without losing any more Time, it must be thrown away, and one of those that shall have been brought up in Baskets, in order to supply such Accidents, plac'd in the room of it.

And likewise, if the Tree, which having only produc'd small Shoots in the first Year, has been preserv'd, the Stem of it being only shorten'd; if that Tree, I say, does not, at the very Entrance of the Spring, begin to shoot fine new Branches, I am also of Opinion that it shou'd, without any hesitation, be us'd in the same manner with the fore-going, we have now been speaking of: It wou'd be a kind of Miracle, if ever it shou'd come to a Condi∣tion of affording any Satisfaction.

But if, as it happens pretty often in the Case of Pear-Trees, and sometimes, but not so often, in the Case of Stone-Fruit; if, I say, that Tree, thus taken down lower, has shot fine Branches at its new Extremity, as well as that, which, having shot but one at the top of the Stem, has been likewise taken down lower than the place of that Branch; then both the one, and the other will fall in one of the Cases heretofore explain'd for the first Shooting of those new-planted Trees which have happily succeeded; and so we have no∣thing particular to add to the Conduct that is to be observ'd for them.

Let us now proceed to the Tree, which had only produc'd one fine Branch, be it either about the middle of the Stem, or at the bottom; supposing always, as we have said, that even in that first Year Care shall have been taken, in both Cases, to ren∣der both these only Branches streight, if they were not so naturally: For, if that Care has not been taken, the Gard'ner must have been oblig'd, as I have said heretofore, not only to lower the Stem to those Branches, but likewise to shorten them with∣in the compass of two or three Eyes of the place whence they grew; which being grant∣ed, we must in this Case only consider for the first Pruning that which shall be per∣form'd upon the Branches which are to shoot from those two or three Eyes of a Branch so extraordinarily shorten'd: And thus this first Pruning will fall in one of the Cases of the Pruning of the first Branches of a new-planted Tree, without any necessity of saying any thing more upon that Subject.

The Tree, which in the first Year had only produc'd one Wood-Branch, having been Prun'd upon that Branch, never fails, as we have already said, of producing others on the Extremity of that Branch; and, for Example, will, without doubt, have shot upon

it, at least, one thick one, with some weak ones, and perhaps two or three thick ones, which is pretty usual, and may be more. This great Multitude does not happen com∣monly; but yet it happens sometimes.

If unfortunately it had only produc'd one upon it, partly of the same thickness with the Mother, which may happen by some accident befaln to the first Roots, then you must be Positive either in re-cutting the New one very short, leaving it only two Eyes, or in cutting it quite off, which is yet better; in hopes that the other, which we must call the Old one, may Shoot forth something more considerable the following year, as it may happen: For the Tree may chance to have made better Roots the third year, than it had produc'd either the first, or second; and consequently, being grown more Vigorous, it may shoot a greater quantity of Fine Branches.

But yet, to speak the Truth in such Cases, there is no relying upon the Success of such a Tree, which shews so little Vigour in the beginning; and therefore it is my Opi∣nion, and I think it very material, to have recourse to the Magazine of Trees in Bas∣kets, not to languish in vain hopes, at least beyond the second year, otherwise you may chance to languish yet longer, and always to no purpose, as it happens to a great many of the Curious.

And if that single Branch, being well Prun'd, has perform'd its duty so well, as to have produc'd at least two of those fine ones, which we look upon as Wood-Branches, or perhaps three or four, besides some of those that are fit for Fruit.

In all these Cases, nothing can be done besides what has been said for the Trees, which in the first year of their being Planted have produc'd the same quantity of Shoots, that is, some Fruit-Branches may be preserv'd; but among the thick ones, only such as may con∣duce towards the Beauty of the Figure, cutting off all the others without any mercy, either close, or within the thickness of a Crown-piece.

So the second Pruning of such a Tree must be perform'd upon the fine Branches that are shot from that single Branch, and must differ in nothing from the first that is to be perform'd upon the fine Branches, which the first year have been happily produc'd from the Stem of a new Planted Tree.

The Precaution of keeping upright the single Branch grown upon a Wall-Tree would be good, but is not so absolutely necessary as upon a Dwarf-Standard; by rea∣son of the Convenience of turning almost at pleasure the Branches that shall proceed from that, after having Prun'd it: The only thing then, is to take care in their youth of fast∣ning them to the Right and Left, according as may be necessary for laying the founda∣tion of a Beautiful Figure; and in so doing, it is easie to remedy certain defects which can hardly be remedy'd in a low Standard.

CHAP. XXI.

Of the second Pruning of a Tree that has Produc'd two Fine Branches in the First Year of its being Planted.

AS to our Tree, which in the first Year has produc'd two Fine Well-plac'd Branches, we must suppose, and it is generally very certain, that both the one and the other having been Prun'd within the compass of four, five, or six Inches, or thereabouts, with all the Caution heretofore observ'd, both as to their thickness and Original, as well as the situation of the last Eyes that have been left at their Extremities; I say, it must be suppos'd, that both these Branches shall each of them have produc'd at their Extremities, at least two fine strong ones, both well plac'd, besides some small ones that shall be grown either beneath, or above them.

Those two fine Branches, newly grown, fill up the two sides agreeably, which (to advance the perfection of the round Figure) stood in need of that help.

And if one of these two first, or even both had produc'd each of them above two, either according to the order of Nature, or against it; we must without doubt resolve to cut off close those among these new-commers, which, in what Situation soever, are not favourably enough plac'd to conduce to our Design; and therefore if they prove higher than those which we preserve, in such a Case, if the Tree be but moderately Vigorous, you must take it down to these, to strengthen it the more: But if it be very Vigorous, those highest may be cut square, within the thickness of a Crown-Piece, from the place where they issue; and likewise if those unhappy Branches prove lower than those

that are preserv'd, and in a situation inclining on the inside of the Tree, they must like∣wise be taken away, but no otherwise than in the manner I have just express'd, which I call Pruning within the thickness of a Crown Piece, as it appears by the Figure.

This Pruning perform'd within the thickness of a Crown, often serves to give us the fol∣lowing year a small Branch or two, which proceed from the sides of that thickness, and are commonly very good for Fruit; it happens likewise then, that as the Sap finds it self stopt thus at the Overture of the Branch in question, and as it must of necessity move forwards, it not being able to return back, being push'd and press'd by some other that follows it close, to make it go out at the top; I say it happens then, that this first Sap enters sometimes, or the greatest part of it, into the superiour Branch, which is nearest to that thickness, and which, however, had already a Portion suitable to its thickness.

If it cannot enter altogether in it, as it happens pretty often, the remainder of it is divided, and bursts out, as we have said, upon the sides of that small thickness, and furnishes us with some of those good little Branches which vve desire, as it appears by the Figure.

Sometimes vve may also take avvay those vvretched Branches slopingly, that is, cut them in such a manner, that on the inside of the Tree there may not remain the least part, and on the outside enough for some Nevv Branches to shoot out of it, as it appears like∣vvise by the Figure.

This sloping way of Pruning is to be practis'd when the Branches, being neither altogether outward, nor yet wholly inward, they are a little upon the side, on which part however they cannot be preserv'd; but yet are plac'd so, that by that slope one may expect the following year a Branch shooting wholly outwards.

Now such a Branch may chance to be thick, and consequently capable of conducing to the Figure, or weak, and so fit to give Fruit; and in case, as it happens sometimes, nothing proceeds from that slope, the Figure of our Tree will be no wise alter'd by it.

I dare be bold to say, that this Pruning in a sloping manner, which is a New Invention, is an Excellent way of Pruning to be practis'd upon all sorts of Trees that have a little Vi∣gour, whether Old or Young, when some Branches, unhappily plac'd, as we have just explain'd it, give us cause to do it with hopes of success: It is not indeed Infallible, but it succeeds very often, and for certain never spoils any thing: Therefore I advise others to use it as I do; I generally find a great deal of benefit by it, and am very well pleas'd with my self for having invented it.

Perhaps it may not be improper to relate here what made me think upon it; I knew, as every body does, and as we have just observ'd it upon the account of the Pruning, which is perform'd within the thickness of a Crown Piece; I say I knew, that according to the Order of Nature, the Sap newly form'd in the Spring, regularly presented it self at the entrance of all the Channels of the Branches form'd the preceeding year, to Nourish, Thicken, and Lengthen them, &c. And so I knew that it was certainly to return to en∣deavour to perform its function in the Branch I took away, it being ignorant, as I may say, of its being taken away; therefore I concluded from thence, that apparently part of the Sap would make its way at the Place where it found it self dam'd up, provided it found room enough to get out: So that, in leaving such a Place on the outside, a Branch would shoot from it to do me a kindness. Success has confirm'd my Reasoning, and Practice; and so from a Branch that was grown in an ill and troublesom situation, I put my self in a way of drawing a considerable advantage for my Tree.

If it should happen as, sometimes it does, that one of those two first Branches, we speak of in this Chapter, should have produc'd from its Extremity but one thick enough, with some small ones lower, whilst her Neighbour has produc'd the two we expected; or this having really produc'd two, of which, one might be broken, or spoil'd by some Acci∣dent, so that only one remain'd on that side: These are two Cases in which I think it very material to Explain what is to be done.

As to the first, which is the growing but of one Branch instead of two, which in Proba∣bility were to have grown; in that first Case, I say, supposing there may be cause to judge, that the Prun'd Branch has not receiv'd so large a proportion of Sap as her Companion, which will appear in that, for Example, it shall not have thicken'd in proportion to the other, which proceeds from some inward, un-fore-seen, and inevitable defect; in that first Case, I say, this New Branch must be cut a little shorter, and that with a Prospect that apparently it will yield but one, which consequently must be expected on that side where it is most wanted for the Figure; with this Resolve, that, if the following year the Original Branch shews no more Vigour than the fore-going year, neither it, nor its Off∣spring

must hardly be look'd upon, but as Fruit-Branches, which cannot be lasting, and so we must be necessitated to endeavour betimes to establish the foundation of the Beauty of our Tree upon the Branches that may proceed from its Neighbours.

In the second Case, wherein one of the two New Branches which are grown from a Vigorous one, may have been torn off, or broken; in that second Case, I say, whether the remaining Branch prove that which was grown on the Extremity, or that which was grown from the second Eye, we may apparently reckon that the Sap which made the two, and would have nourish'd them both, had they remain'd, will come altogether into the remaining; and that so it must be Prun'd, in hopes that it will at least produce two, which will be well plac'd, according to our wish, if, in the Pruning of it, we observe all that is necessary to be done; but above all, we must always take care not to let one side of the Tree grow higher than the other, for fear of the Deformity which attends that Ine∣quality, which must be avoided as much as is possible: And therefore in Pruning such a Vigorous Branch, which is left alone by some accident befaln to her Sister, we must re∣gulate the length of the new Pruning we perform upon it, to that we make upon the op∣posite Branch, which has not profited proportionably to what it had done the first year; and that in fine, until the whole Figure of such a Teee comes to establish it self entirely upon the Branches, which successively must come from the vigorous side, a Skilful Gard'ner is sufficiently the Master of such an Operation.

If from the last Eye of one of the two first Branches, from which Eye, according to the Order of Nature, a thick one should have proceeded; if such a one, I say, should bring forth a weak Branch, or even if the two last Eyes have produc'd two weak ones, which, as we have said, regularly should have given us two thick ones, and under these weak ones should have grown one or two thick ones, or more, which happens sometimes; in such a Case, this, or these weak ones, must infallibly be look'd upon as Fruit-Branches, their weakness procuring them that Merit in regard to us; and so we shall preserve them very preciously, breaking them as little as can be on their Extremities, in case they ap∣pear too weak for their length, or leaving them untouch'd, if they seem well pro∣portion'd of themselves: And this without doubt is one of the most material Advices I could give.

Woe to those Trees which shall pass through the hands of Gard'ners who will not be able to make use of this Advice, or shall take away those weak Branches' as causing any deformity to the wretched Idea they have form'd to themselves of a Tree, if they have really fram'd any, for the greatest part of them seldom frame any; and cut pell-mell, whatever sort of Branches fall under their Hands: Those Wretches, in the first place, do not observe or mind that Fine Fruit never spoils any thing, what ever place it be in: In the second, that it is a kind of Murther to take away a fine disposition to Fruit when it is already form'd, although an ignorant Man does not know it; and that lastly, the Beauty of the Figure of a Tree only consists, and depends absolutely upon the thick Branches.

In the mean time, it is to be observ'd, that the thick Branches, that are thus grown be∣low those weak ones, which are found on the Extremity; that those thick Branches I say, shall commonly in that place have begun to follow the Order of Nature for the difference of their Thickness, and Length, in the same manner as if they had grown on that Ex∣tremity, where Naturally they ought to be.

In that Case they must be Prun'd just as if they were really grown from that Extre∣mity; that is, one or two of them must be preserv'd, supposing they may contribute to the Figure; which being granted, they must be Prun'd of a reasonable length, according to their Strength, and the Vigour of the whole Tree, still preserving the necessary regard that must be had for the Branches they are to shoot from the last Eyes of their new Extre∣mity; and as for those that might be prejudicial to the Beauty of the Tree; if there are really any such, they must be taken away in the manner here above Explain'd; that is, within the thickness of a Crown Piece, or else slopingly, according to what may be best for the advantage of the Tree.

I may begin to give notice here, that it happens sometimes, and even pretty often, that this Branch which was left long for Fruit, which in the order of Nature should al∣ways remain weak, may, notwithstanding, chance to thicken in an extraordinary man∣ner, and perhaps produce one, or many thick ones on its Extremity, while that those thick ones which had been Prun'd short for Wood, remain almost in the same Condition, and only produce weak ones, the Sap having, as I may say, alter'd its Course, just as it happens sometimes in some Rivers.

In such a Case, we must submit to that alteration, which cannot be prevented, nor hardly alter'd when once form'd; therefore we must begin the very next year after that alteration, to use that Branch like a Wood-Branch, which having alter'd its property, is

become a Wood-Branch, from being a Fruit-Branch; and so likewise alter our Method in respect to that which, from being a Wood-Branch, is become a Branch for Fruit.

There is nothing to be fear'd so much, as to see a Tree grow thin towards the bottom, which part ought to be fullest; which is the reason that I am so very sollicitous, that no Branches for Wood should ever be left long in the Pruning, unless it be perhaps on some here and there, as we have said, to let them take up, for a Year or two, part of that Sap which might prove troublesom to us, and afterwards remove them when the Tree bears Fruit; that is, it must be done sometimes, when they are extraordinary vigorous Trees; but as it is never done without good Grounds, so it ever proves advantageous.

This Way of Pruning thick Branches long, is a Fault most Gard'ners are guilty of, and that for want of knowing, or taking notice, that as the greatest part of our Fruit-Trees are not capable of furnishing at one and the same time a great Extent, that is, to fill at once both the Top and Bottom; and that naturally, contrary to our Intention, and the Beauty we affect, they all incline to grow upwards, and consequently, that Bottom which shou'd be fullest, remains most bare, unless we use a particular Application to oppose in this the Course of Nature, which seeks, it seems, to deceive us: Therefore a great deal of Care must be taken to stop, that is, to prune those thick Branches short enough, it being most certain that they never shoot much in the lower part, from whence they proceed; but only on their Extremity, whatever it be, high or low.

The Defect of Thinness, which is sufficiently minded in Dwarfs, is yet much more ob∣servable in Wall-Trees; where, among unskilful Gard'ners, we seldom see any thing but the top of the Wall well cover'd, and that even Garland-wise, so that commonly all the new Branches exceed the top of it, and there spend the Vigour of the Tree to no purpose; which obliges them to cut those wretched Branches four or five times in a Summer, to prevent the Disorders of the Wind; while the Heart of the Tree is only compos'd of long, blackish, mossy, wrinckled Branches, destitute of those other little ones that shou'd ac∣company them; and even often full of Scars, and consequently, the Wall, which shou'd be cover'd every where, always beginning from the bottom, on the contrary, appears quite bare, and the Tree has none of those Branches it ought to have.

Granting then, that a Branch for Wood must seldom, or never be left long at the first Pruning, unless it be in order to form a Tree, or to fill up some parts of the far∣thest sides, it is yet less allowable the following Years, upon the thick new Branch, which is grown from that which having been left long for Fruit, is afterwards grown thick, by an unexpected and extraordinary abundance of Sap.

This is another dangerous Rock, from which few save themselves: Therefore I am of Opinion, that, instead of performing our Pruning upon a thick and long Branch, shot from one that had been left long for Fruit, we shou'd descend, or come down to that old one, and shorten it, leaving it no more length than it might have been allow'd, had it been at first of the thickness it is grown since.

And if such an old Branch shou'd not prove of an excessive length, it will be sufficient to prune all the new ones that are grown from it so close, that not the least part of them may remain, whence any thing new might proceed.

In these two Cases it is most certain, that such an old Branch, so order'd, will not fail, at the very following Spring, to produce others on its Extremity; some for Fruit, and others for Wood; among which, those must be chosen that are fittest for the Figure, to the end that, according to the Maxims heretofore establish'd, they may be prun'd like thick Branches, and continu'd to be order'd as such, while Nature causes no alteration in them.

CHAP. XXII.

Of the second Pruning of a Tree, that on the first Year had produc'd three fine Branches for Wood.

THE Tree, which had produc'd at first but two fine Branches, being prun'd the first and second time it cou'd be so, we must now proceed to that which had produc'd three proper to make a fine Tree.

In regard to which, I do not think I need add any thing to what I have said of the Pruning of the preceding, unless it be, that, to avoid Confusion, every Branch may be allow'd two Inches more than those we have been speaking of, in order to procure both

Overture and Roundness to the Dwarfs, as well as Fulness and Roundness to the Espaliers; and therefore great regard must be had for the two or three last Eyes or Buds on the Extre∣mities of the prun'd Branches, to the end that those that are to proceed from those Eyes may be happily dispos'd to contribute to the Beauty of the Figure. It is a great happiness, as we have already said, when a new Tree produces three fine Branches the first Year: But it is yet better, when in the second it produces two more on the Extremity of each of those three.

I may inform you here, that if, on a Dwarf, the Prun'd Branch of a fitting length be capable of producing more than one thick new one on the Extremity of it, and yet we have occasion but for one, the last Eye may indeed be inward, but never the second; and therefore the second Eye must either be broken, or torn off, if required by the disposition of the Branches that are to come, as we have said, either within the thickness of a Crown-piece, or sloping, as shall be judg'd most convenient.

CHAP. XXIII.

Of the second Pruning of a Tree which had produc'd the first Year four fine Branches for Wood, or more.

TO Prune for the second time a Tree, which in the first Year had produc'd four fine Branches, and even more, it is certain, that as this Tree has a great deal more Vi∣gour than all the others we have mention'd, so it requires more Application and Skill, not to let it fall into those Inconveniences wherewith it is threaten'd.

I must say here, that in such a Tree, especially in a Dwarf, it is necessary sometimes to preserve some Branches upon it, which at that time are no ways conducing to the Beauty of the Tree, but serve to consume for a time part of the Sa••, which might be prejudicial to the Branches that are to yield Fruit; but none of those that might cause any Confusion. Those Branches which must be look'd upon as Temporary, may be prun'd without Con∣sequence; so they may be left long, since they are to be wholly taken away as soon as the Tree is form'd, and produces a reasonable quantity of Fruit.

As to those that are essential for the Beauty of the Tree, I have begun to prune them all a little longer than those of the preceding Trees; that is, about two or three Eyes at most; as well to avoid Confusion, which is a very perniclous thing, and to be avoided at any rate, as to make an advantage of the Vigour of such a Tree; which, without such a precaution, wou'd not yield Fruit of a long time, because the great abundance of Sap might convert into Branches all the Eyes that shou'd have turn'd into Flower-Buds, had their Nourishment been more moderate.

Such a Tree, at the End of the second Year, appears in a manner quite form'd, by means of all the new Branches that every one of the old ones that have been prun'd shall have produc'd on their Extremities; and, among the new ones, Care must be taken to chuse those that conduce to the Beauty of the Figure, to prune them again, partly of the same length as those had been prun'd for the first Time, from which they proceed; en∣deavouring, above all, to judge whether the Branch that has been prun'd may, at least, produce two, in order to preserve them both, if they prove fit to contribute to our De∣sign: Or in case one must be quite taken away, let it commonly be the highest, to the end, that, as much as possible can be, the lowest may always be preserv'd, as the fittest to form or preserve the Beauty we look for; and by that means, not only the place which is cut shall be (to use the Gard'ners Term) quickly cover'd again, which is much to be de∣sir'd, as an Ornament in a Tree; but besides, it will make no Wound upon the Branches that shall be preserv'd; and consequently, the Tree will thereby be infallibly handsomer and sounder.

But if the Vigour of that Tree be observ'd to continue, as it is very common, and even to augment visibly, in such a Case Confusion is to be fear'd more than ever, either in the Heart of our Dwarf, or in respect to our Wall-Fruit-Tree, whatever Trees they be, of either kind, Pear-Trees, Apple-Trees, Plum-Trees, Peach-Trees, Cherry-Trees, Fig-Trees, &c. Therefore that second Pruning must be perform'd yet a little longer than the first, parti∣cularly if the Tree appears inclinable to close; and that length must be about a large Foot, or a little more, to employ that abundance of Sap, which, we judge, must not be restrain'd, nor contain'd in a small space.

Upon condition, that when, from the second Pruning, other good Branches shall be grown, which shall begin to open the Dwarf reasonably, or to fill sufficiently our Wall-Fruit-Tree, especially the Tree beginning to yield Fruit; upon condition, I say, that then we shall return to our ordinary Pruning of six or seven Inches upon the most vigorous Branches, and four or five upon the moderate ones.

This great Fury seldom fails of diminishing at the End of the first five or six Years, if the Tree has been well govern'd; and then all those little Branches which we have taken care to procure in a great number at the bottom, and have afterwards preserv'd with Care, begin to give us an ample Recompence for all our Cares: And even pretty often, in such Occasions, we come to prune over again here and there some of the old Branches, which the great Vigour of the Tree had oblig'd us to leave of an extraordinary length; and at the same time we aim still at extending, by way of Overture, on the sides, there to employ usefully the Vigour of that Tree, and indispenceably to preserve its agreeable Figure.

It is upon those very vigorous Trees that we must begin to perform some Masterly Strokes: We must, as is done in point of Fountains, make here and there a kind of Cup∣ping, or rather, a kind of Superficial Discharge; that is, for Example, leave upon that Tree, without any use, some Branches cut Stump-wise, and even some thick ones, though of false Wood, in which, for some Years space, that furious Sap, of which we have too much, may lose it self in vain, which otherwise might disorder some of our principal Parts: And even, if upon those sort of Trees any Branches of false Wood be found in a place where they may serve towards the Figure of the Tree, they must be preserv'd, and us'd as such; being certain that, as they will take up the greatest abundance of the Sap, the good Branches, which have produc'd those false ones, will receive less, and conse∣quently will bear Fruit the sooner; these false Branches, in the mean time performing the same Effect, as to the Figure, as good ones cou'd have done.

Such Branches may likewise be left, where-ever the Overture of the Tree shall not be prejudic'd by them; from whence, the Tree bearing Fruit, they may at pleasure be taken away without any prejudice to the Figure; provided always they cause not the least Con∣fusion, that being the greatest harm that can happen to a vigorous Tree.

And whereas, to moderate the great Fury of such a Tree, in respect to our selves, that is, to make it bear Fruit the sooner, two things are particularly required, besides the Overture; which are, first, the length and multitude of good weak Branches, when they are plac'd so as to cause no Confusion; and in the second place, a considerable Plurality of Out-lets upon the thick Branches, through which that abundance of Sap may perform its Effect, since we cou'd not hinder it from doing it in some part of the Tree.

Therefore, when the Figure of my Tree will permit it, if some Branch, prun'd the preceding Year, has produc'd three or four, all pretty thick ones, I often do not retrench them; so that having one or two of the best plac'd, I preserve one or two of the others for the Pruning of the next Year, and leave them reasonably long. Besides this, if I pre∣serve the lowest, I cut the highest Stump-wise; and when I preserve the highest, I leave under them, either on the out-side, or upon the sides, one or two Stumps of the thick Branches, form'd like the Hooks of a Vine, each about two Inches in length, as it appears by the Figure annex'd hereunto; which succeeds very well to me.

There infallibly happens in those Stumps, or Hooks, a Discharge of Sap, which pro∣duces some favourable Branches, either for Fruit when they prove weak, or to become in time fit Branches for the Figure when they are strong.

The best way always is to lower the Tree, in taking away the highest Branches, to preserve the lowest; and not take away the lowest, to preserve the highest; to the end, that if the Tree cannot fill both at top and bottom, it may rather be dispos'd to remain low, and well fill'd, than to rise high, without being well fill'd.

These kind of Stumps and Hooks will not please our Gard'ners at first, who neither know my Principles, nor the way of Cupping; which we have explain'd here above: But if, after having known my Reasons, and long Experience, they will neither approve, or try them, so much the worse for them; they must give me leave to pity their Ignorance, or Obstinacy.

[illustration]

CHAP. XXIV.

Of the Pruning that must be perform'd the Third Year, upon all sorts of Trees planted within Four Years.

THis Case does not require the preceding Distinctions we have made, to determine what was to be done to Trees, according to the smaller or greater quantity of Branches they had produc'd the first Year: They must, at the end of four Years, be partly all of the same Classis, though they be not all furnish'd with an equal quantity of thick Branches: But however, both the one and the other must have produc'd a sufficient number, to shew a Head entirely form'd; and though even that, for Example, which had produc'd but one the first Year, shou'd have produc'd but four or five in the fourth, still there shou'd be nothing to be said in respect to that, since that, if it be vigorous, it will partly fall under the Case of a Tree which at first had produc'd four or five, or more; and if it be not of those that are capable of producing more than one thick Branch on the Extremity of the Pruning, you must regulate your self upon the meanness of its Vigour, both in keeping the thickest Branches short, and expecting but one thick one on the Ex∣tremity of each, making it ever grow on that part where the Figure requires it most.

We must always inviolably follow the Idea of a fine Tree we have first of all propos'd to our selves, either in a Dwarf, or Wall-Tree, and never fail to proportion the Burthen of the Head to the Vigour of the Foot, in leaving more and longer Branches on a vigorous Tree, and less and shorter on that which appears weak.

And whereas many old Branches must be carefully preserv'd on a vigorous Tree, espe∣cially for Fruit, provided there be no Confusion; on the contrary, you must ease a weak Tree of the Burthen of the old Branches, as well those that are for Wood, as those that are for Fruit; and out them short, in order to make it shoot new ones, if it can, with resolu∣tion to pull it out of the Ground, if not able to perform it; which being done, a better must be plac'd in its room, after having taken away all the old Earth, which may be judg'd to be either ill, or worn out, and having put new in the room of it.

I still forewarn, that, in Pruning, Provision must be made for those Branches that may pro∣ceed from those that are Pruning, in order to prepare some that may be proper for the Figure, with this Assurance, that when a high Branch is taken down over a lower, this being strengthen'd by all the Nourishment that wou'd have gone to the highest, which has been taken away; this low Branch, I say, will produce more Branches than it shou'd have done, had it receiv'd no Re-inforcement.

In short, when, according to my Principles, a young Tree shall have been conducted to a fourth Pruning, the Effect will infallibly have made good what I have promis'd, both as to the beautiful Figure, which must then appear in its prime, and as to the Fruit, of which, Pears then begin to shew a Sample, and Stone-Fruit abundance: After this, apparently every body must be capable thenceforward to manage all manner of Fruit-Trees, without needing any other Instructions than the preceding; and indeed, I have no other new ones to give; and it wou'd be ridiculous and tiresom to repeat the same things, which, in my Opinion, I have sufficiently establish'd.

It seldom happens, that all the Trees of the same Garden, though order'd alike, prove equally vigorous; no more than the Children of the same Father, all equally healthy: Trees, as well as Men, are subject to an infinite number of Accidents, that can neither be fore-seen, nor avoided; but it is certain, that all the Trees of a Garden may be form'd agreeably in their Figure; and this is one of the principal things to which a Gard'ner is oblig'd.

Above all, I advise every body not to be obstinate in preserving Pear-Trees, which year∣ly, towards the end of Summer, grow extream yellow, without having produc'd fine Shoots; nor those, of which the Extremities of the Branches likewise die every Year. They are com∣monly Trees graffed upon Quince; of which, some of the principal Roots are dead, or rot∣rotten: They are Trees that produce but small Roots at the upper part of the Foot, and consequently, Roots that are expos'd to all the Injuries of the Air, and of the Spade.

The same thing may be said of the Peach-Trees that appear the first Years to gather Gum at the greatest part of their Eyes, and of those that are extreamly attack'd with cer∣tain little Fleas and Pismires. Such Peach-Trees have certainly some rotten Roots, and will never do well.

I am likewise of the same Opinion for those Trees that shoot on all sides an infinite number of little, weak, sapless Branches, with some thick ones here and there; both the one and the other, for the most part, of false Wood: In which case, a great deal of time may be lost upon ill-grounded hopes.

That which is best to be done in all these Occasions, is, as soon as can be to remove such Trees; and when they are not extreamly old, or spoil'd by the Roots, venture to plant them again in some other place, in good Ground, after having cleans'd them of all their Rot∣tenness and Cankers, in order to see if they will come to any thing, to make use of them elsewhere; which happens sometimes with Pear-Trees, but very seldom with Stone-Fruit, especially Peach-Trees; still putting better in the room of them, with all the Conditions heretofore explain'd.

CHAP. XXV.

Of the first Pruning of Trees that have been Planted with many Branches.

AFter having sufficiently explain'd, in the Treatise of Plantations, my Aversion to plant little Trees with many Branches, I am willing at present to believe, that as I seldom plant any, those who will do me the honour to imitate me, will do the same. However, Those that will plant such, must principally observe two things: The first is, to cut off whatever may cause a Confusion, and is not proper to begin a fine Figure. The second, to leave a Length of about six or seven Inches to every Branch they preserve upon them: And as for the other Branches that shall proceed from these, they must regulate themselves upon the Principles which we have sufficiently establish'd for the Pruning of other Trees:

It is certain, that such Trees, planted with Branches, are not commonly so easily turn'd to receive a fine Figure, as those I affect to plant: The old Branches that are left upon them, are not often happy in producing others on their Extremity, yet less to have them well-plac'd; they generally produce them disorderly, and consequently must be often wounded, before what is desir'd can be met with; but when at last attain'd, 'tis but following what has been said distinctly enough for the management of a Tree, which having been planted without any Branches, has since produc'd some very fine ones, and very well plac'd.

And when Trees have been planted with a great many more and longer Branches than they shou'd have been, so that there appears no manner of disposition towards the Figure we ought to wish for, Endeavours must be us'd immediately to reduce them upon a fine Be∣ginning, and that conformably to the Ideas of Beauty so often explain'd.

What we shall say hereafter, for the first Pruning of old Trees, that have never been or∣der'd well, may serve altogether for the first Pruning of these, without saying any thing more about it.

Though commonly, either as to low Standards, or Espaliers, I condemn the manner of Planting little Trees with many Branches, by reason of the Inconveniences which attend them, in respect to the Figure they ought to have, I am not, however, so severe in rela∣tion to high Standards, in which I do not condemn it so much, by reason that they do not require so great an Exactness for their Beauty: So that I allow they shou'd be planted some∣times with some Branches on their heads, when some are found well enough dispos'd for it; they will certainly produce Fruit sooner than the others: But still I have a particular Esteem for those that are planted without any.

There are some other Occasions in which a Tree may be planted with many Branches; and that is, in a great Plantation, where some other is dead; for supposing the Ground to be very good, and other good Mould put into the Hole, made to plant the other, in such a Case a Tree may very well be planted with some Branches, especially those Trees that are diffi∣cult to fructifie. For Example, your Lady-Thigh, Pears without Rinds, Virgoulez, &c.

CHAP. XXVI.

Of the Pruning of High-Standards, or Tall Body'd Trees.

AS the Number of Principles for the Pruning of Dwarf-Trees has been very great, so the number of Principles for Pruning of High-Standards Planted in open Wind, shall be very small: For as to High-standards Planted against a Wall, they all require the same Precautions as the little ones; so that instead of medling yearly with those Great Trees, I only desire, as I have said in the beginning of this Treatise, that they should be touch'd once or twice in the beginnings, that is, in the three or four first years, in order to remove some Branches from the middle, which might cause a confusion there; or to shorten a side which rises too much, or bring another nearer, which extends farther than in reason it ought to do: As for the remainder, we must refer it to Nature, and let her produce freely what she can, there would be too much pain and labour to order these with as much Circumspection as the others.

CHAP. XXVII.

Of the first Conduct of Graffs in Slits made and multiply'd upon Old Trees, in place, either Dwarfs, or Espaliers.

NOthing is so common in our Gardens, as to Graff in Slits upon Old Trees, be it either to be rid of some ill Fruit we are weary of, or to improve some considerable No∣velty that has been discover'd; so that often we do not even spare good kinds, of such Trees of which we have a sufficient Number.

Now as many things are to be said upon those sort of Graffs, and first, if the Tree has so little thickness as not to be able to receive above one, as none are commonly apply'd without having three Eyes; it may very well happen that every such Graff shall produce three fine Branches fit to lay the foundation of a fine Tree; in which Case, we must have recourse to what we have said heretofore of the first Pruning of a Tree, which in the first year had produc'd three fair Shoots; and may allow them about two or three Eyes more in length; if, as in all likelyhood it ought to happen, the Graff has produc'd very Vigorous Twigs, especially if the Tree appears inclinable to close.

In the second place, if the Tree to be Graffed is thick enough to receive two Graffs, as it is when it has a good Inch Diameter, or a little more; and if the two Graffs produce each two or three fine Branches, as it happens pretty often, then it is fit to study hard to avoid the great confusion that is threaten'd here by the great Proximity of Graffs, and con∣sequently we must study to open; therefore among those Branches, those that being thick and inwards, form that defect which we must never suffer, must be taken away, either within the thickness of a Crown Piece, or slopingly, according as the Prudence of the Gard'ner, and the occasion of the Tree shall prescribe: After which, not only the first Pruning shall be perform'd a little longer than that of the Trees that have been Planted within a year or two, but a greater quantity of Branches must be kept upon them, as well quickly to finish the Figure, if the Matter be fit for it, as to imploy for a certain time the overplus of Sap we judge fit for our Designs, and that Plurality of Branches may comprehend those Stumps and temporary Branches, as well as kind of Hooks that are on the outside, which I have spoken of heretofore.

In the third place, the same regards must be observ'd, and with more severity, as well for the Overture, as for the length of the first Prunings, if the Graffed Tree has been ca∣pable of receiving upon its head to the number of three or four Graffs, which happens when you Graff Crown-wise.

So much the rather, if the Tree having several thick Branches all pretty near the one to the other, and all capable of receiving several Graffs on the Head, it comes to be Graffed upon every one of them. Such a Tree is apparently a little Old, and yet vigorous enough, so that all the Sap which was prepar'd by the great number of its Roots, and was sufficient for the Nourishment and Maintenance of a great quantity of long and strong Branches, finding it self pent up in the little compass of those Graffs, produces generally there Branches

of an extraordinary thickness and length, to that degree, that pretty often one Eye pro∣duces two or three Branches, most of them strong.

In such Cases, all the Prudence of a Skilful Gard'ner is requir'd to make a good use of that great Vigour thus reduc'd, to the end that by means of a wise Conduct in a short time a Tree may be brought to a fine Figure, and to bear a great deal: Nothing is more common than to see such Graffs ill order'd, and, if I may say so, Cobbled and Massacred; and Consequently woe to that Tree, which for the first time falls under the hands of an ignorant Gard'ner.

The great Overture of the Tree, the reasonable length of certain Branches that are es∣sentially necessary for the Figure, the Plurality of such as are not so; and that as well by the means of short and long Stumps, &c. as by means of those that are not imploy'd, and may be remov'd at pleasure, without harming the Tree, both by the way of such Prunings as are perform'd within the thickness of a Crown Piece, and by the great length of the weakest Branches for Fruit, &c. All these together are Soveraign Remedies, and pretty easie against the disorders that might arise from such an abundance of Sap so reduc'd with∣in a small compass; but yet how many ill-favour'd Trees are daily seen, for want of the Gard'ners having good Principles, or for not having Practis'd them from the beginning.

In the fourth place, the second, third, and fourth years, and even longer, if it falls out so, you must labour in the manner aforesaid, until the Tree begins to yield Fruit, and then you must not only return to the Pruning of six or seven Inches upon each Branch, but likewise take them lower from year to year, here and there, in order to have the lower part of your Tree always well fill'd, which you cannot arrive to by any other means.

What I have now said in general upon Old Trees Graffed a-new in Place, may be indifferently apply'd as well to Dwarf-standards as to Wall-Fruit-Trees; which being granted, we must ever propose to our selves the fine Ideas both of the one, and the other, which we have recommended at the beginning of this Treatise; knowing for certain, that confusion and thinness are of a dangerous Consequence in point of Espaliers, as well as Dwarfs, tho' we must grant, that the conveniency of tacking the Branches of Wall-Fruit-Trees, and by that means of constraining them to lye as we would have them, renders the manage∣ment of them much easier, more secure, and quicker for success, than it can be for Dwarf-standards.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Of what is to be done in Cases not foreseen, and yet pretty common to all manner of Trees, even to those that have been manag'd according to all the Rules of Art.

I Think I may suppose, that whoever has with a sufficient application read over what I have establish'd here for the Pruning of Trees, has acquir'd a sufficient Knowledge, either to understand it well, or to put it in Practice with Pleasure and Advantage: To tell the Truth, I should be infinitely deceiv'd if it were not so, having made it my study with all the Care imaginable, to render my self intelligible, as well to the Ignorant, and the Novice, as to the Man of Understanding, whether Gard'ner or not, who shall be de∣sirous to know my Sentiments upon this Matter. But I must add to this, that yet to ar∣rive to a greater perfection of Knowledge, it will be necessary, for two or three years, to endeavour the putting in Practice upon young Trees both the Principles and Manner I use: Experience far exceeding Theory, or Speculation in this Case, as well as in all other practicable Arts and Sciences.

I dare affirm, that hardly any difficulty would ever be found in the Application of these Principles, if, as I may say, Nature was always wise in the Production of Branches and Fruits; or if she could be govern'd as the Carver governs his Marble, and the Painter his Colours; but it is certain, that whatever care we take for the Conduct of our Trees, yet we cannot always Labour about them with so much success, as to oblige Nature, which we are not altogether masters of, on all Occasions to answer our Intentions and La∣bour.

Nature is a particular Agent, but yet a necessary one, which in her Actions depends upon an infinite number of Circumstances, either as to Times, and Seasons, or Grounds, of which, some are Good, and others Bad; some Hot, some Cold, some Dry, some

Moist; or Lastly, in relation to the different temper of Trees, of which some are apter to bear Fruit than others; some to produce more Branches, others less, some for Stone-Fruit, others for Kernel; and some others are even of a particular kind; as Figgs, Grapes, &c.

I do not know whether I might not say, that pretty often the Rules for Pruning are in some respects the same in relation to Trees, as the Rules of Christian Morality are in re∣spect to the Conduct of Men; our Trees to me, seem impatient under the Constraint we im∣pose upon them, to keep them low; and sometimes tack'd against a Wall; they seem to aim constantly at their escape, and to surprize the Gard'ner, to shoot where he would not have them, and produce Branches where he would have none; just as the Corrupt Na∣ture of Man often Rebels against the Divine Laws and Reason, and affects most of those things which Morality forbids.

It is likewise true, that in our Trees there sometimes happen certain Inconveniencies, which we could neither foresee, nor hinder; but at least, when they are come to pass, we must apply our selves to avoid the ill Consequences that might attend them; and moreover, if it be possible, as I have pretty often Cause to believe it may; we must endeavour to draw Advantages from them.

There are in this certain Particulars, which may prove tiresom to some Readers, I mean such as have no occasion for them, or such as do not care to understand Pruning to the bottom; but I hope they may prove of great use, or at least afford some Pleasure to true Gard'ners, who are sensible that nothing is so proper to improve in all manner of Sciences, as those studied and instructive Particulars.

I have in my time made many Remarks upon several particular Cases relating to the Pruning of all manner of Trees; which I look upon as proper to be added here, together with the Conduct I have held towards them.

But first, I think my self oblig'd to say that Stone-Fruit, and especially Peuch-Trees, and even Apricocks, greatly require a second Pruning, and sometimes a third, besides the first which is done at the end of Winter: Those last Prunings must be perform'd towards the middle of May, when the Fruit is either knit, or blasted: At which time, I dare af∣firm, that they are not only advantageous, but even very necessary; at the same time you must likewise Trim the Buds and useless Branches of some others, which is no less necessary than those kind of Prunings.

These last Operations, Viz. the second and third Pruning of Stone-Fruit, and the Trimming of the Buds and useless Branches of all manner of Trees, are necessary, both to strengthen cer∣tain Branches, which may be of use for the future to make Branches for Wood, as well as to take away intirely some that are grown useless, and inconvenient; their Function which was to bear Fruit, not having succeeded, their Blossoms being destroy'd. I will make a Par∣ticular Chapter of this hereafter, after having explain'd all the Particulars I have mention'd for Pruning.

All these I have divided into Four Classis; of which the first consists of those Re∣marks that are generally common for the Pruning of all manner of Fruit-Trees, whe∣ther Dwarfs, or Wall-Trees: This Classis has a pretty large extent, and shall be the first I will Explain.

The Second of the Remarks that are peculiar in every Year to the first Pruning of Stone-Fruit, especially Peach-Trees, and Apricocks.

The Third, of those Remarks that relate only to the Second and Third Pruning of those very Stone-Fruits, as well Espaliers, as Dwarfs.

And Lastly, the Fourth is for the Trimming of the Buds and useless Branches of both.

CHAP. XXIX.

Common Remarks for certain singular Cases relating to the Pruning of all manner of Trees.

I Shall set down the whole Matter of this Chapter without Order or Connection, by rea∣son that it would almost be impossible to do it otherwise, every Case being Singular, and without the least relation to the other; as well as that, in my Opinion, it would be of no use, tho' it might be done; Besides, I did set down things carefully in my Journal, according to the Singularities I observ'd by degrees in my Studies upon Vegetation, and

therefore I think it will not be improper to Communicate them in the same Method I Collected them, which is as followeth.

1 Observation.

WHen from any part of a Branch that has been couch'd and constrain'd against a Wall, or from some part of the Branch of a Dwarf which Naturally stands Horizontally; that is, which instead of mounting upwards, like most of the others, has inclin'd sidewise (I have a great value for such which grow soon Branches for Fruit) I say, when such Branches have shot some of false Wood, which can neither serve towards the Figure, nor for Fruit, I Cut them within the thickness of a Crown Piece, or slopingly, according to my occasion, otherwise that false Wood would ruine that which is good, or at least it would ruine it from the part it came from, to the Extremity of the Branch; and if in the Sum∣mer I perceive the Beginning or Birth of such Branches, I break them off immediately, which is done with ease, pressing them downward with the Thumb, where they begin to appear, or in drawing them towards one.

2 Observation.

I Likewise remove all pretty strong Branches, shooting from a kind of hard knob upon which the stalks of Pears did grow, and upon which there may perhaps still be new ones; there is seldom any Foundation to be laid upon such Branches; therefore when I observe any such in the Summer, I tear them off immediately.

3 Observation:

I Do the same with those Branches which proceed from those which Originally were short and streight, looking upon the Horizon, and plac'd in the form of a Spur upon certain Trees where these Spurs are common, and extraordinary good to be preserv'd; such as Ambret, Virgoule, Burgamots, &c. either in Dwarf, or Wall-Tree; those sort of Branches grown from those kind of Spurs will never be good for any thing, they will ruine both the Beauty of the Figure, and the disposition to Fruit, which commonly at∣tends those kind of Spurs; and if, as it happens often, Nature seems obstinate, in produ∣cing upon those Spurs these kind of Branches which I am an Enemy to; it will be ne∣cessary, finally, to cut those Spurs within the thickness of a Crown Piece, in order wholly to remove the great Course of Sap which throws it self on that side, and does it a prejudice; we have already sufficiently spoken as to the effect of such an extraordinary Pruning.

4 Observation.

THe Pruning of weak long Branches may as well be perform'd by breaking them only on the Extremity, as in cutting them with the Pruning-Knife, and perhaps better, as well as faster; In my Opinion, in breaking of them we waste more Sap, which may be of use to form Fruit-Buds the sooner, since, as we have already said, they only grow on those places that receive little Sap.

5 Observation.

A Skilful Curious Gard'ner ought never to suffer any dry or dead Argot, or Cock-spur upon any Trees, but cut them off close when ever he perceives them, unless it be upon cer∣tain Peach-Trees that appear somewhat inclin'd to Gum, upon which it is dangerous to do it, by reason that the wound cannot soon be clos'd, and that the Gum Supurates through it; but it is certain that it is both a Beauty and Advantage, especially in Kernel-Fruit, to cut off wholly all those kind of Argots, by reason that the part infallibly closes again, provided the Tree be sound.

By this word Argot, I mean in this place, the Old Extremity of a Branch which has been formerly shorten'd at some distance from the Eye, so that this Eye has afterwards shot another Branch, and this same Extremity is grown dry, and half dead without having profited since the Pruning, which has given it Birth.

6. Observation.

WHen from some good part of a Tree, which in the first Years had only produc'd Branches of a moderate Vigour, and thereby gave but little hopes of a long Con∣tinuance, we afterwards come to get one or two fine Branches, or more, though all of false Wood; if I find that I may lay the Foundation of a fine new Figure upon it for such a Tree, I always do it conformably to the Rules heretofore establish'd, and in the mean time I still preserve all the ancient weak ones, as long as they are capable of yield∣ing Fruit, with a Resolve to cut them as soon as they cease to bear; and by that time, others shall have form'd themselves in the new Figure, and those shall insensibly supply the room of the old Branches.

But in case such Branches shou'd grow in a place whence I can draw no advantage to form a fine Tree, I take them off quite, in hopes that another Year may produce more favourable ones; supposing that such a Tree having been capable to shoot some, though ill-plac'd, the Vigour of it not only subsists, but even increases still, and will certainly produce new ones, and probably better plac'd; such kind of Branches will owe their Birth to some new Roots, which shall have been form'd in an extraordinary manner.

7. Observation.

IF likewise I find that an old Tree, and a little elevated, shoots finer Branches towards the bottom than on the top, and find the top in an ill Case, and almost forsaken by Nature, I abandon it likewise, and follow the Alteration which is happen'd, in order to begin a new Figure, and consequently make a new Tree again. Those Alterations hap∣pen pretty often, especially in Peach-Trees that begin to grow old: 'Tis fit, in such a Case, to improve the Advertisement Nature gives us.

But if the top appears pretty good and vigorous, so that it may yet last long in the Condition it is in, I then cut off entirely the new Branches that shoot below, to preserve the old ones, unless I find room in the Neighbourhood of the Foot to place these new Branches.

8. Observation.

I Never value certain small Branches, little and weak, which shoot from other small, weak Branches; from which, if thick ones chance to shoot, I only consider them as Branches of false Wood, and use them accordingly.

9. Observation.

IN the Order Nature commonly observes for the Production of Branches and Roots, what is produc'd a-new is less thick than the place from whence it is produc'd: And if, con∣trary to that Order, the Branches or Roots that are shot prove thicker than those whence they are produc'd, the new ones are commonly of false Wood, and must be us'd according∣ly; still supposing, in respect to the Branches, that those which are of false Wood may be prejudicial to the Figure, or Fruit, as we have heretofore explain'd: For if, instead of being prejudicial, their Situation shou'd favour the Figure, or even be capable of waste∣ing for a time part of the Sap, which is too abounding here; in such a Case, they must be preserv'd according to our foregoing Rules; but in the Case of Roots, as the thickest are always the best, the distinction of false Wood not being essential here, we must always preserve them, let them be grown how they will, and destroy the old ones, which seem to be abandon'd.

10. Observation:

A Branch must never be Prun'd without considering first the place whence it proceeds, to judge whether it be good, and capable of answering our End: For some Branches might be look'd upon as thick ones, if they proceeded originally from a weak place; which, notwithstanding, ought to be look'd upon as weak ones, because they proceed from a place being originally strong and vigorous; and so of the rest.

11. Observation.

LIkewise, a Tree must never be Prun'd without having first examin'd the Effect of the preceding Pruning, in order to correct the Defects of it, if any; or else of preserving its Beauty with Care.

12. Observation.

IN point of Dwarfs, where we have not the convenience of Tying the Branches, as in Wall-Fruit-Trees; in order to judge of the quantity of Buds that must be left upon each Fruit-Branch, we must consider what the strength of such a Branch is capable of bearing of it self, without being expos'd to the hazard of breaking; and therefore it will be proper to lean upon the Extremity of such a Branch, to the end that, by the great or small Re∣sistance we find in leaning upon it, compar'd to the known Weight of such a kind of Fruit, the Burthen may be proportion'd to the strength or weakness of the Branch.

13. Observation.

COmmonly in Peach and Plum-Trees, if a pretty old thick Branch be shorten'd, there are seldom any new ones to be expected, either on the Extremity, or in the whole Compass of it; the Sap of such a Tree can hardly penetrate so hard a Bark: But yet sometimes, the Tree having some Vigour left, the Sap produces its Effect upon the youngest Branches, near to that old one in question.

But the contrary as to Apricock-Trees, either old, or young; or young Peach-Trees, and all other kind of Trees; we may regularly expect new Branches from the old ones which have been cut shorter, seldom meeting with any disappointment.

14. Observation.

WHereas in vigorous Trees, either young or old, as we have so often declar'd, we only look for Fruit upon the weak Branches; on the contrary, in weak Trees, that have but little Vigour, we must look for Fruit upon the strong ones, and never upon the weak; those having too much weakness to be able produce sine Fruit, and the others, which appear thick, and indeed are only so compar'd to the small Vigour of the whole Tree, have no more Sap in them than is requir'd for the forming of fine Fruit: So that in such weak Trees, all the small Branches must be taken away; they always appear worn out, whether they have given Fruit, or not; and they often perish without having fructify'd.

15. Observation.

IN all sorts of Fruit-Trees, being sound, a single Eye sometimes produces to the number of two, three, or four Branches, and for the most part pretty fine ones: It is necessary to judge prudently which are the fittest to be preserv'd, either for Wood, or Fruit, and which are to be cut off quite: It seldom happens that above two are preserv'd, and even those must look upon two empty Sides, distant from each other; to that End the middlemost of the three is often taken away, and so the two remaining receive the better nourishment. This Operation ought to be perform'd in Trimming the Buds, and useless Branches, which is in May, or June.

16. Observation.

IN Espaliers, or Wall-Fruit-Trees, all the Branches may easily be dispos'd on one side or other, provided they be tack'd while they are young, for then they are easily bent; but if they be not order'd at that time, and shou'd make an ill Figure, they must be cut within the thickness of a Crown-piece, at the Season of the first Pruning, which shall be in February or March of the following Year; or, at least, upon the first Eye, in hopes that the sides of that thickness may produce some Branches which may prove more useful than the Mother.

17. Observation.

THough it be in some manner disagreeable, as well in a Wall-Fruit-Tree, as (especial∣ly) in a Dwarf, to see a thick Branch crossing the middle of the Tree, yet it is fit to preserve it when it contributes to the filling up of one of the Sides, which, without it, wou'd remain empty, and is necessary for the Beauty of the Figure. Such Niceties need not be observ'd for Fruit-Branches; they are good in any part.

18. Observation.

OF all that depends upon Art, nothing seems securely capable of strength'ning a weak Branch, being within the extent of a thick one, but the taking away of all the other Branches which are superior to it, and even that part from whence it shoots; so that this may arrive to be the highest of those that proceed from the same Mother, and con∣sequently forms an Extremity to it. All the first, second and third Prunings, as well as the Trimming of the Buds and useless Branches in the Month of May, are very proper for it; but when naturally a Branch is weak on the Extremity of a thick one, there is no cer∣tainty of strengthning it, unless it be by removing an old Branch, originally superior to that whence that weak one sprung.

Not but Nature sometimes effects such things of her self, without removing any supe∣rior thing; as we have observ'd, speaking of some Fruit-Branches, which, by an over∣flowing of Sap, thicken more than naturally they shou'd do; but we being ignorant how this is done, cannot possibly imitate it.

19. Observation.

IN order to Prune very vigorous Peach-Trees towards the end of the Winter, for the first time, it is necessary to tarry till they are ready to Blossom, in order to know with more certainty the Buds that will Blossom, for there are a great many Blossom-Buds which never Blossom, the coldness of the Winter, or the abundance of new Sap, and sometimes the Gum, destroying a great quantity. Those Buds being known, we must regulate our selves accordingly, both for the choice of those Branches that are to be preserv'd, and for the length that is to be allow'd to them.

20. Observation.

WE observe, that the Fruit-Buds that are on the Extremities of the Branches are com∣monly thicker, and better fed than the others; which confirms what the Order of the Production of new Branches had taught us; which is, that the Sap always goes more abundantly to the Extremities, than elsewhere; which has given a Rise to the Maxim I have establish'd in my Reflections for the Effect of the Strong and Weak, in relation to Fruit-Buds, which form themselves upon all kind of Branches, strong or weak. From thence I concluded, that, especially for weak Trees, it is good to Prune them betimes, not to let the Sap waste it self in vain on Extremities that must be retrench'd. This teaches us besides, that in the Winter both the Branches and Buds thicken: We know it suffi∣ciently, by the Example of Almond-Trees Graffed at the end of Autumn, which, before the Return of the Spring, appear extreamly press'd by the Flax that had been apply'd to them in Graffing.

21. Observation.

WE must never begin to Prune an Espalier, or Wall-Fruit-Tree, until it be quite untack'd; for, besides that the Pruning is perform'd with more ease, and quicker, it happens, besides, that in Tacking for the first time after the Pruning, the preserv'd Branches are the better order'd; and that often, out of Laziness, instead of undoing a Tack, to make a new one, a Branch is left as it was found, though ill-plac'd.

22. Observation.

IT is often necessary to Untack; for the first Tacking of the Month of May, first, in order to equal the Figure; in the second place, to remove from behind the Props or Stays such Branches as were already flip'd behind them; which must never be suffer'd there: Therefore it behoves one to be careful in the Month of May, often to visit Wall-Fruit-Trees, as well to prevent such Disorders, as to remove the languishing, wretched Shoots that wou'd only cause a Confusion.

23. Observation.

THE multitude of Branches in the first Year, is not always a sign of Vigour; on the contrary, when they prove all weak ones, it is an ill Omen, which shews an Infirmity in the Roots. And thus, for Example, Redness in the Cheeks is not always a sign of Health.

24. Observation.

WHen a Tree, either Dwarf, or Espalier, is great and old, it seldom shoots any green Branches; and consequently, it is not likely that any Faults can be com∣mitted in Pruning of it; always supposing, if a Dwarf, that it is open; if an Espalier, that the Figure of it be passably well establish'd: Faults are only greatly to be fear'd upon very vigorous Trees, which perform more than the Gard'ner wou'd have them; that is, produce more Branches than he expected.

25. Observation.

WE can only judge of the Thickness and Weakness of Branches, comparatively to those that are adjoining to them in one and the same Tree. For Example, Some are deem'd weak in one part of a Tree, or in certain Trees, which in another might pass for thick ones: The Neighbourhood of a very thick one renders another, that is not so thick, weak, as well as many weak ones render another, that is not so weak, thick.

26. Observation.

THis Rule is very considerable, in order not to fail, affording sometimes an extraordinary length to certain Branches; which, though pretty thick, ought notwithstanding to be look'd upon here as weak and small, the length being necessitated by the Consideration of other neighbouring Branches, and thicker; which in the Neighbourhood, are look'd upon, and us'd like Branches for Wood.

27. Observation.

WHen weak Branches are very slender on their Extremities, it is a certain sign of an extream Weaknes; wherefore they must be much shorten'd: And when they are pretty thick there, they must be left somewhat longer, because they really are not so weak.

28. Observation.

THE farther a weak Branch is distant from the Heart of the Tree, the less Nourish∣ment it receives; therefore, in such Occasions, we must draw nearer upon the lowest; whereas, on the contrary, the farther a thick Branch is distant from the Heart, the more Nourishment it receives; for which reason it must be remov'd, in order to keep the Vi∣gour in the middle, or in the lower part of the Tree.

29. Observation.

FRom some Trees, either old or new-planted, especially Pear-Trees, either Dwarfs, or Wall-Trees, sometimes proceed Horizontal Branches, of an ordinary thickness, which are admirable to be preserv'd for Fruit, either shooting outwards or inwards: But regularly most Branches streighten again, and threaten a great deal of Confusion, if Care be not taken to take away those that are worst plac'd; or else are apt to disgarnish, unless one be severe in cutting some of them short.

30. Observation.

SOmetimes some Branches are Prun'd like Branches for Wood, though in reallity they have no more thickness than a Fruit-Branch shou'd have; and therefore must not be look'd upon as being real Branches for Wood, proper to establish and preserve long part of the Figure of a Tree, but rather as half Wood-Branches: They really are of some use for the Figure, and to fill up some Vacuity for two or three Years; after which, they must perish, which must be expected; and, without relying upon them, endeavour to get others near them, to supply their Room; otherwise a Tree will soon grow defective.

31. Observation.

WHen a Tree, either Dwarf, or, particularly, a Wall-Fruit-Tree, especially Peach, or Plumb-Tree, no longer shoots new Branches, it must be look'd upon as a de∣cay'd Tree, and therefore another must be prepar'd against the next Year; and without

Pruning any of its Branches for Wood, all those that are likely to produce fine Fruit, must be preserv'd to that end, retrenching all the Sapless ones exactly, as being incapable of doing any good.

32. Observation.

YOU must never Prune a Branch for Wood, when you have no such occasion for it; and therefore, for Example, when a high Standard begins to be press'd by the Neighbourhood of a lower Tree, so as to be partly necessitated to cut off some of the lowest Branches of that high Standard, to make room for the highest of its Neighbour; in such a Case, those Branches of the high Standard must be left long for Fruit, especially if it be vigo∣rous, and can nourish these without prejudicing the principal Branches: And thereby Endea∣vours are us'd to get some Fruit, by the extraordinary length of such Branches, before one be necessitated to cut them off quite.

33. Observation.

WE must cut Stump-wise, that is, entirely, all the thick Branches that are shot from the Extremity of another passably thick and long, which, if Prun'd according to the com∣mon Method of Pruning, wou'd grow too naked, and too long; and consequently, wou'd look disagreeable. By this manner of Pruning Stump-wise, we may commonly hope for some new Branches from the Body of the old one, proper to maintain the Beauty of the Figure, in filling up every part.

34. Observation.

WE likewise cut Stump-wise when, upon a very vigorous Tree, of two strong Branches, grown on the Extremity of a vigorous one, we think fit to use the Second prefera∣bly to the First, and yet do not think it proper to strengthen that Second any more; and so we leave, for the space of a Year or two, or more, a small passage for the Sap to the highest cut Stumpwise, in order to take it quite away, as well as the new Branch that shall be shot from it, as soon as the Tree shall begin to bear Fruit.

However, I must confess, that the most common Use that is made of that way of Pruning Stump-wise, is seldom for any Branches, but such that, from weak, and passably long as they were, are grown extraordinary thick and vigorous; insomuch that they have shot from their Extremity one, or two, or many thick Branches. The original Weak∣ness of such Branches only proceeded from their length, which shou'd not have been al∣low'd them, had they been as thick as they are grown since; and therefore, being grown thick, they must begin to be us'd like Branches for Wood; that is, they must be shorten'd.

35. Observation.

AND in case that Branch cut Stump-wise has produc'd no Branches for Wood in its Extent, especially drawing near to the place whence it proceeded, and on the con∣trary, has shot a thick Branch at the place of the Stump, or close by it, this last thick one must again be cut Stump-wise, especially the old one not being too long; for if it be too long, and has not been shorten'd at a proper time, the Pruning must be perform'd upon the Body of that old one, and consequently shorten'd, according to the Rules heretofore establish'd.

36. Observation.

IF on an old, but pretty vigorous Tree, altogether disorder'd with false Wood, barely by the defects of an ill-perform'd Pruning, Care be not taken for three or four Years, one after another, to take it lower, by a Branch or two yearly, until it be quite shorten'd, it will never yield any satisfaction; but by that means it may very well be brought to be a fine and good Tree. This is fit to be done, when a Tree is of a very good kind: If not, it were better to take it quite down, and to Graff a better kind upon it Slit-wise, either of such as we have not already, or have not a sufficient number of.

37. Observation.

SOmetimes certain Trees are so vigorous, that they cannot, especially the first Years, be reduc'd to a small compass; therefore they must be allow'd to extend either upwards, or on the sides; otherwise they will only produce false Wood: Afterwards you may by degrees reduce them to the Standard of others, when they begin to bear Fruit. Such are com∣monly, Virgoulé, Lady-Thighs, Saint-Lezin, Robine, Rousselets, or Russettings, &c.

38. Observation.

A Very vigorous Tree can never have too many Branches, provided they be well order'd, and cause no Confusion; whereas, on the contrary, a weak Tree can never have too few, that the Burthen may be proportion'd to the Vigour of it; and therefore you must seldom leave any upon it, but such thick Branches as it may have.

39. Observation.

THE Branches of false Wood, or Suckers, as to Peach-Trees, and other Stone-Fruit, are not commonly so defective as to the Eyes, or Buds, as those that grow upon Kernel-Fruit-Trees; but are more subject to perish, and to have their Eyes extinguish'd with Gum, which is a peculiar Distemper to them. As for the Pruning, they must partly be manag'd like the Branches of false Wood of Pear-Trees, when they are but in a small number upon a Tree; but when there are a great many on the lower part of a Tree, they must be look'd upon as pro∣per to renew that Tree; and therefore, a considerable length must be allow'd to some, in order to take them away when the fury shall be over; and in the mean time, those that shall be pitch'd upon for the Foundation of the Re-establishment of a fine Figure, must be Prun'd according to the common Method. We seldom meet with this abundance of thick Branches upon any but Peach-Trees, especially Stone-Peaches, which begin to grow ancient, and worn out about the head.

40. Observation.

ALL manner of Trees have a Branch or two predominant over the others, and some∣times more; happy are those in which the Vigour is divided, unhappy those where the Torrent lies all on one side.

41. Observation.

A Wood-Branch, growing on the in-side of a Dwarf which you intend to close, is ever welcome, and the same, if favourably plac'd to supply a thin side.

42. Observation.

FRuit-Buds of Pear and Apple-Trees sometimes form themselves the very same Years in which the Branch they are adherent to has been form'd, as generally all the Buds of Stone-Fruit do; but sometimes there are some that are two or three Years, and even longer, before they come to perfection: Some arrive to it at the Entrance of the Spring, so that it happens that some may be seen at the time of the Blossom, which did no wise appear during the Winter.

43. Observation.

THE Extremities of the Shoots that come out when Autumn is almost spent, espe∣cially after a great Cessation of Sap, which happens sometimes, are always bad; their Colour, which differs from the rest of the Branch, shews it sufficiently; and so, be∣ing good for nothing, they must be taken off, being likewise subject to perish: Gard'ners call them Branches of August.

44. Observation.

WE say, and with reason, that it is commonly in our power to make Fruit-Buds grow where we please; but it is not always so soon as we could wish.

45. Observation.

WHen it comes to pass that a thick Branch being prun'd, shoots three, of which, the highest proves of a good thickness, the second weak for Fruit, and the third thicker than the highest, two Considerations must be had to Prune them skilfully; that is, if the highest be fit enough for the Figure, it must be made use of, and the third, which is thicker, cut slantingly, or within the thickness of a Crown-piece.

But if this third Branch be better plac'd for the Figure, it may be Prun'd, as being a Branch for Wood, and the highest left for a Fruit-Branch, or rather for one of those that must be remov'd within a certain space of time, supposing it causes no Confusion, and

that the Tree is very vigorous; for if it causes a Confusion, or the Tree be but of an or∣dinary Vigour, it must only be cut Stump-wise, for fear of losing the disposition which the weak one had for Fruit, if we should wholly take away the highest over the weak one.

46. Observation.

IT is always a happiness, especially in Stone-Wall-Fruit-Trees, when from the lower part of the thick Branch there shoots, that very Year, another thick one. Our Trees are commonly but too much inclin'd to shoot upwards.

47. Observation.

YOU must never, upon any Consideration whatever, preserve your sapless Branches; not even if they were on the top of the Pruning of a vigorous Branch.

48. Observation.

WHen Dwarf-Pear-Trees of Beurré bear Fruit, they must commonly be Prun'd shorter than other Trees, by reason that as they produce a great deal of Fruit, and that that Fruit is large and heavy, they are apt to open, and spread too much; which Figure is not pleasing.

49. Observation.

DUring the Month of May one cannot be too careful in looking after Espaliers, espe∣cially Pear-Trees, to hinder good Branches from slipping behind the Stakes or Props, from which they cannot be remov'd afterwards, without either breaking them or the Lattice-frame.

50. Observation.

A Young Pear-Tree languishing or decaying in one part, may sometimes be re-esta∣blish'd, if, after having taken it out of the Ground, and Prun'd it every where, it be put into better Ground: But there is no help for a decaying Peach-Tree, especially Gum having appear'd upon it; those kind of Trees seldom are reviv'd.

51. Observation.

IF it happens that any Dwarf, planted within the space of three, four, or five Years, or of a longer standing, not having been well order'd in the Pruning, in order to form a lovely Figure; or perhaps having been spoil'd by some unexpected Accident, so as to be grown lower and thinner on one side than the other; if, I say, it happens fortu∣nately that such a Dwarf-Standard does shoot out of that defective side a Branch, which being thick, though of false Wood, may seem proper to correct the defect aforesaid, as it hap∣pens sometimes; in such a Case it is fit to allow such a Branch a greater length than my Maxims have for the general regulated for Branches of false Wood, to the end that this Branch being equal in heighth to those of the other side, the Figure of the Tree may ac∣quire the Perfection it wanted. The defect of extraordinary length in a Branch is not certainly so great as that of being crooked, flat, or slender, which it has now corrected in a Dwarf-Standard.

52. Observation.

ALL the Sap of a Tree being employ'd in forming many Branches, some strong, others weak, it will probably soon produce Fruit upon the weak ones: But when it abounds, and is confin'd within a very small number of Branches, for the most part thick, it will produce no Fruit any where, until the great Vigour of it be in some manner wasted by the great number of Branches it will produce in Succession of Time, which Branches must be preserv'd.

53. Observation.

WHen Trees are hard to produce Fruit, by reason of their being too Vigorous, as those are we have so often mention'd; especially certain Plumb-Trees that grow a∣gainst a Wall, one of the things I commonly do affect, is to leave a great deal of old Wood upon them, particularly for Fruit-Branches, avoiding, however, Confusion and Thinness, or Vacuity; but still, upon Condition, that when a Branch left long for Fruit the first

year, shall afterwards shoot another on the Extremity of it, which I likewise think sit to preserve; upon Condition, I say, that in case that Second should shoot a Third, the last must never be preserv'd, which would cause a disagreeable length, and yet would not answer our aim, which is to get Fruit.

In such Occasions I do one of these things, viz. I perform my Pruning upon the Se∣cond, the two having a sufficient length; or else I Prune the Third, which is shot from the end of the Second, Stump-wise, the two first not being excessive in length.

54. Observation.

THere are some moments in which a Skilful Man's Thoughts may be roving while he is Pruning, and so may chance to commit some Faults, which commonly are not very material, and are easily Corrected; as for Example, having left some Branches too long, or having preserv'd some that should have been taken away; therefore in my Opinion, a Revise is very necessary to be done the next day, if not that very day; without which, it is impossible to be fully cerain of what has been done; it is with this, as with all other Works in the World.

55. Observation.

WHen one side of an Old Tree, either Dwarf, or Wall-Tree, is extraordinarily Strong and Vigorous, and the other weak and slender; that is, properly speaking, when a Tree is Crooked, and disagreeable to sight, it is hard to reduce it to a fine Fi∣gure; then a great deal of care must be taken about that Vigorous side, in taking away the greatest part of the strong Branches close to the Stem, whence they shoot, or cut part of them Stump-wise, in expectation that at last the Sap which inclin'd altogether on that side, may turn it self towards that weak side, at which time we shall be enabled to begin the Repairs which were wanting.

56. Observation.

IN all sort of Trees care must be taken to allow less length to a Wood-Branch, that is somewhat weak, than to that Wood Branch which is thick and strong.

57. Observation.

IT is pretty common in all manner of Trees, especially when they are pretty Ancient, to find certain weak Branches, which, without having ever born any Fruit, are, as it were, threatned to perish for want; therefore it is requisite every year, at the time of the grand Pruning, and even at the time of the second, which is perform'd on Stone-Fruits, especially Wall-Fruit; I say it is requisite to take a special Care that such Branches may not be without Nourishment; to which end, they must be kept shorter, and the number of them diminish'd, and sometimes it will be fit to take away some of the thick ones that are Superior to them; or, if after such Branches have Blossom'd, that is, have perform'd the main part of their duty, their Blossom happens to perish, they must be wholly taken away, especially when there appears no disposition in them to shoot some good Branches for the following year.

58. Observation.

WHen a High Branch is taken away over a Lower, that is, as we have already said, what we call Lowering, or Shortning of a Tree, it must be cut so close, that no part of it may remain; to the end that the place may soon be cover'd again, and neatly; but when the lower is taken away to preserve the higher, we must keep of that low one, at least the thickness of a Crown Piece, or cut it slantingly, as we have said elsewhere, in hopes of a good new Branch.

59. Observation.

WHen a Branch of a good thickness being Prun'd pretty close, produces nothing but what is weak on its Extremity, it is a Sign that it is upon perishing, and that Na∣ture has withdrawn, in favour of another, the yearly substance she us'd to afford it; so that you must no longer rely upon it for the Beauty of the Tree.

60. Observation.

IF a Tree being crooked at the time of Planting, produces the first year a fine streight Branch, as it sometimes happens, you must shorten the whole Stem to that Branch, there only to fix the Foundation of the Beauty of that Tree.

61. Observation.

WE may better resolve to preserve upon a Wall-Fruit-Tree, a thick Branch, not being altogether well plac'd, than upon a Dwarf-Standard; where such a Branch might chance to be ill scituated, by reason of the facility we meet with in Wall-Trees, of turning and winding such a Branch at pleasure, or those that shall shoot from it, which cannot be effected in Dwarf-Standards, in which we want the Conveniency of tacking to the Right and Left; and such a Branch would make a Dwarf-Standard show awry: Therefore in a Dwarf-Standard such a Branch must be remov'd, whereas with the assistance of Ligatures it might serve to form a fine Wall-Tree, and therefore should be preserv'd.

62. Observation.

THE common length of Branches for Wood, which I willingly six to five, six, or seven inches, tho it is to be regulated and proportion'd upon many things, in order to be either more or less extended; for Example, upon the Vigour or Weakness of the whole Tree; upon the Thickness or Mediocrity of the Branch, to be longer where it meets with Vigour and Thickness, and shorter where it does not meet with it: This length is likewise to be re∣gulated upon the Vacuity that is to be fill'd, to be either more or less long, according as the Vacuity is either great or small: It must particularly be regulated upon the heighth of the other Branches for Wood of the same Tree, to the end, that those that are newly Prun'd, may be proportion'd to the Old ones.

63. Observation.

THere are some People who fancy that the Pruning of a Tree does not require much Art; to justifie which, they cite Great Trees that are never Prun'd, as also the Trees of certain Gard'ners, who, without ever having known how to Cut, Prune so happily, that they do not fail of having abundance of Fruit.

I have no answer to make to those People, or rather I have so many things to say, that I do not think it worth my while to answer them. Physicians, Lawyers, and most of the Learned in most Arts, sometimes in their turns, meet with such pretended Objections.

64. Observation.

WHen a Fine Fruit-Branch shoots many others, which likewise seem fit for Fruit, I am for preserving of them, when they cause no Confusion, and the Tree is Vi∣gorous, particularly in Pear-Trees.

65. Observation.

IT happens sometimes, especially in Wall-Fruit-Trees, that within the Compass of a Branch, which grows Thick and Vigorous the very Summer in which it is produc'd; I say, it happens sometimes, that one or two Thick ones form themselves, which are as it were after Shoots; so that whatever is beyond those New-comers, drawing towards the Extremity, appears incomparably smaller than what is on the other side, drawing to∣wards the Birth of that Mother-Branch; in such a Case, those last Comers must be look'd upon as Branches that commonly will always augment in Thickness, and consequently will become real Branches for wood, in the place where they are; for which reason, they must be Prun'd short; and as for those that draw towards the Extremity, they must be look'd upon as Fruit-Branches, which will thicken no more, Nature having directed her Course upon these last made.

66. Observation.

YOU must not in the least scruple the taking lower, even in old Trees, especially Pear, Apple and Apricock-Trees, certain Sides which, having been ill order'd, prove too long and thin: But I wou'd not, without an absolute necessity, have many thick Branches cut over a very weak one, shot from the same part, though never so well plac'd for the Figure; too many Inconveniences arising from it, by reason of the false Wood that commonly grows about that weak Branch; which not being capable of receiving all the Sap that flows towards it, and was destin'd for the Nourishment and Maintenance of those

superior Branches that shall have been cut, that Sap, being necessitated to come out, and consequently to force its way in an extraordinary manner, not finding any Issue ready made; that Sap, I say, being very abounding, flows out of it disorderly and furiously, like Water having overthrown a Dam that stop'd its Course. Now all those forc'd and violent Issuings produce those kind of Branches we have heretofore explain'd, giving them the name of False Wood, or Suckers, and are such as do not grow in the most common and ordinary Order Nature follows in the Production of new Branches; and therefore it is fit, as much as possible can be, to avoid falling into such Inconveniencies.

But if you chance sometimes to be necessitated to cut such thick Branches, the small Branch not performing here the Operation of a cleft Graff, which sometimes it does, but often fails, in such a Case you must resolve to make use of one of the Branches of False. Wood shot from it, and chuse that which is best plac'd, Pruning it according to the com∣mon Method, and by that means establish upon it the Figure of the Tree.

67. Observation.

ALLthough the Branches that, according to the Order of Nature, shoot from the Ex∣tremities of other Branches are commonly of good Wood, yet some of them happen sometimes not to be so, especially growing from the lower part of Branches, which, being originally of False Wood, have been cut very short, or shooting from a Stump; or else, when in the very Year they only begin to shoot a long while after the others of the same Tree, (this happens but seldom, unless in Virgoulé-Pears,) which you must not wonder at, and only Prune those kind of Branches that appear ill-condition'd, leaving them of a moderate length; for you must seldom allow much length to such Branches of False Wood.

CHAP. XXX.

Particular Remarks for the first Pruning yearly to be Perform'd in February, and March, upon Trees of Stone-Fruit, especially on Peach and Apricock-Trees, either Dwarf-Stan∣dards, or Wall-Trees.

I Shall not need to inlarge upon this Article, of the first Pruning; having already largely explain'd in General the Rules for all sorts of Pruning: I shall only ob∣serve, that the Fruit-Branches of the Trees above-mention'd, are but of a small Conti∣nuance, many of them Perishing the very first year in which they have produc'd Fruit, and even without it, their Blossoms having been spoil'd, either by Gum, Blasts, or Frosts in the Spring; in which Cases, they must be wholly taken away, unless they be grown considerably thick, or have shot some fine Branches fit to bear Fruit the following year; for in that Case, they may last two years, and even sometimes, though very seldom, three or four; provided they still shoot some good Branches, either on the Extremity of the last Pruning, or in their extent: But after that, they must only be look'd upon as worn-out Branches, and consequently of no use.

It is not so with the Fruit-Branches of Pear and Apple-Trees; and even Plumb-Trees, both the one and the other lasting pretty long, that is, much longer than those of Peach-Trees, by reason, that in their extent they shoot very good small ones, which regularly produce Fruit; until at last, according to the Nature of Fruit-Branches, they all perish intirely.

I may say here, without any Vanity, that in following my Method of Pruning Peach-Trees, you may expect to have commonly much finer Trees, more lasting, and without doubt much more Fruit, and even much finer than those who Prune another way, which is Infallible; provided the Weather be fair at the time of the Blossom, and the Gum spoil nothing about the Branches, and especially, that the Trees be Planted in a good Ground. The Curious are much to be pity'd, when their Gardens happen to be in a cold ill Ground, or when the Mould is worn, because that the Trees seldom produce any good new Roots there; and consequently, abundance of the old ones perish, Roots not being able to subsist without Action; which is the Reason that so much Gum grows both upon the Stem, and upon the Branches, and even upon the Foot, and in the Roots.

The Reason for which I say that my Method of Pruning greatly preserves and imbe∣lishes the Trees, is because it prescribes the being very careful in keeping pretty short all the thick Branches, &c. And as for the abundance of fine Fruits, it depends Infallibly on the other Caution I recommend, of preserving all the good Branches for Fruit, without taking away any, and the leaving no more Fruit upon them than they are able to nourish, in order to its being very Beautiful.

When in the Months of February and March, you design to perform the first Pruning upon Peach-Trees, and that, after having taken away all the Old dry Branches, or such, which through an extream weakness, are of no use (for you must begin by this, in order to see clearly and distinctly what is to be done) you find only two sorts of good Branches remaining; of which, the one (which are weak ones) are to bear Fruit the following years, the Buds being already form'd; and the others (which are the strong ones) are not commonly to produce any, not having any Buds upon them, but are to serve us for another use, which is very material.

These weak ones are to be preserv'd with Care, and even of a great length, by reason of the visible appearance of present Fruit, but without building any hopes upon most of them for the following year; Nature will afford us others, to supply the loss of those; but still care must be taken, that the length of those Branches be proportion'd to their strength; being also perswaded, that a Branch of an ordinary thickness is capable of nourishing a considerable part of the Fruit it seems dispos'd to bear: So that, at the first Pruning, there is no danger in venturing to leave much upon it, provided part be taken away at the se∣cond, if there be Reason to believe there is too much.

As to the strong ones, they must particularly be look'd upon in relation to the future, and therefore must be cut short, in prospect, that, according to the Order of Nature, they will produce others of two kinds; some thick ones for Wood, and many small ones for Fruit; which will certainly come to pass: But, above all, Care must be taken to pro∣vide for the Branches that are to fill up the room of those slender ones, which, for the time being, produce so good an Effect, but are, as it were, no longer to be look'd upon as living, since, after their having produc'd their Fruit, they must be taken away.

We have sufficiently explain'd the difference there is between weak Branches, and Sap∣less ones; therefore it will suffice to say, that no long Branches must be preserv'd, unless they be of a moderate thickness, and have at the same time Fruit-Buds ready form'd for the present Year. I commonly call none Buds but such as are double, with an Eye for Wood in the middle; and I value no others for Preserving, unless it be on Troy-Peaches, and ear∣ly Peaches.

Moreover, no Branch must be Prun'd short, unless it be, that, being incapable of bear∣ing Fruit in the present Year, their Strength or Vigour may promise other Branches for the following Year; or that the Tree having a vast quantity of Fruit-Branches, and very few for Wood, and all those very high, there may be reason to fear, that some of the lower parts, or the middle, may grow too thin for the following Years; in which Case, it is very proper to sacrifice some Buds; and to that End, shorten some of the finest and thickest among those that are over-burthen'd by them, and so make them, as we have said elsewhere, Demy-Branches for Wood, which is of very good use.

In the mean time we must observe that there are some very vigorous Peach-Trees, which commonly are hard to bear Fruit, upon which it is necessary, as well as upon some furious Pear-Trees, to leave Branches of a moderate thickness, long, though they have no Fruit-Buds at all. Such furious Peach-Trees are your Magdalens, some white Bastard-Peaches, Bourdins, Brugnons, or Latter Violets, &c. that is, when those Peach-Trees are young: Upon such it is necessary to leave some long Branches, though without any appearance of Fruit, upon the apparent certainty of their producing a great many other weak Branches for the following Year••; and though those Branches be pretty thick, and might be look'd upon as Branches for Wood, yet they are not cut short, because it is probable that in their Neighbourhood there may be other thicker that have been Prun'd for Wood, and that, according to the best Rules, many thick Branches must never be left very near one to another.

Those different ways of Cutting long or short, are the Cause that it cannot, and must not be said that a Peach-Tree is well Prun'd, unless every Branch; has one of those two Pro∣perties, either actually fit to bear Fruit in the present Year, or to produce fine Wood the Year following, in those places where it may be requir'd; and when these two Conditions meet, and are perfectly observ'd, we may say that a Peach-Tree is very well Prun'd.

Those kind of Regards must not only be had at the time of the first Pruning, but, yet particularly, at the time of the second and third, if perform'd; and likewise at the time of the Trimming of the Buds, and useless Branches.

The Mischief which attends Gum, to which every body knows Peach-Trees are common∣ly subject, and even much beyond all other Stone-Fruits, hinders us from having any cer∣tainty that a thick Branch, being Prun'd, will produce others on its Extremity; which is almost infallible in Pear, Plumb, and Apricock-Trees, &c. When Peach-Trees appear at∣tack'd with that Gum, and yet the Owners are willing to preserve them some Years longer, they must Prune them late, that is, about the time they begin to blossom and shoot, to be certain of preserving, at least, some good Eyes, and some good Blossoms: There can be no Certainty before that time.

I add farther, that when a Peach-Tree has produc'd no Branch for Wood, it must no longer be consider'd as a Tree to keep, from the time the Fruit has been gather'd; and a Successor must be provided.

I add besides, that if it happens that an old Peach-Tree, having been shorten'd, has produc'd several Branches, which happens but seldom, unless it be a Tree grown from a Stone, you must begin to Prune it upon those new Branches, in the self-same manner as a young Tree is Prun'd; excepting only, that the Branches must be left a little longer, for fear of the Gum.

It is almost impossible not to be very uneasie at the Pruning of Peach-Trees, either Dwarf-Standards, or Wall-Trees, by reason of an itching desire of preserving all the Buds that are ready form'd for the present Year, and of not depriving ones self of a present Good: But yet, unless you be a little hard-hearted for the present, in prospect of the future, you may assure your selves to see those kind of Trees perish by your own Fault, or, at least, be∣come of no use. 'Tis true, that in so doing, you may perhaps get abundance of Fruit for two or three Years; but it is as true, that after that, you must expect a very great Scarcity, and very ugly Trees.

Those Uneasinesses, or Conflicts, I have mention'd, are only undergone by skilful Gard'ners: Others are not so much as sensible of the Danger, and so are liable to no manner of Agitation. The chief Cause of Disquiet is, particularly, when a weak Branch, that had been left long for Fruit, is grown thick, contrary to the common Order of Vegeta∣tion; and that the thick one, which had been cut short, in order to shoot abundance of new ones, is, as it were, abandon'd, and hardly produces any thing. This Alteration ge∣nerally produces a great Disorder in a Tree; for those kind of Branches that are grown thick, have probably shot a great many Branches for Fruit, which occasions a very great and just Cause of Temptation and Desire of preserving them all: So that, unless the De∣sire of having a fine and lasting Tree opposes the Itch of preserving those Appearances of present Fruit, there is a great deal of danger of being overcome by the Temptation; and consequently, of making soon a very ugly Tree, as we have already instanc'd. Therefore it is very material to examine what is most proper to be done in such Conjunctures.

It is sometimes necessary to take the advantage of such a Disorder, to let the Tree shoot up, in order to cover the Top of a Wall, which may very well be allow'd of; and in such a Case, there will be no need of taking any of these terrible Resolutions: But some∣times there may be a great deal of danger in so doing; in which Case, there is a necessity of resolving to sacrifice part of those fine Appearances of Fruit, without any Mercy, and consequently, to shorten such Branches extreamly, in prospect, that in the following Years you shall be recompenc'd a hundred times for those Fruits which, as I may say, have been thus cruelly destroy'd. This Disorder happens but seldom, which is a Comfort; but yet, as it happens sometimes, I thought my self oblig'd to give my Opinion about it.

When Walls are very low, for Example, about six or seven Foot high, and yet People desire to have Peach-Trees against them, which, in such a Case, must be Planted at a great distance from one another; when, I say, along such low Walls Peach-Trees appear to be very vigorous, for the two first Years the thick Branches that are to fill up the Sides must be kept pretty long, because, that in Pruning of them short, they will only shoot False-Wood, or Suckers, and seldom or never produce any Fruit, you may allow them twice the length of what is allow'd to common Wall-Trees, and sometimes even thrice; that is, a Foot and a half, or somewhat more.

When a Wall-Tree is reasonably vigorous, it must of necessity be allow'd at least three Foot of Wall free, above the Pruning that is perform'd upon it in the Spring, for the placing of the new Shoots; otherwise the greatest part of the principal Branches should be of no use, growing over the Top; and there should be a necessity of Cutting them often during the Summer, lest the great Winds should break them: And, besides the Vexation of not enjoying the Benefit of the Vigour of ones Trees, those Branches thus cut, ever look ungainly upon a Wall-Tree, by the quantity of Furzes that appear at the Extremity of such a Tree.

CHAP. XXXI.

Particular Remarks upon the Second and Third Pruning of Stone-Fruit.

THese Second and Third Prunings are altogether new, and yet are altogether as ne∣cessary and material as the first, and must be perform'd about the middle of May only upon weak Branches: They were left long by the Winter-Pruning, in prospect of abundance of Fruit; but whereas they are subject to certain Circumstances we are going to examine, they made us bethink our selves of the necessity of a second Operation, and sometimes of a third.

As to the thick Branches, that have been Prun'd short in February or March, they have sufficiently undergone the Dispensation of the Knife, they require no more of it, their Function not being to produce any thing that wants Retrenching at this time; but, on the contrary, to shoot many precious Branches, that deserve to be preserv'd with much Care.

These last Prunings, we are now explaining, are of great use for the grand Pruning that is to be perform'd the following Year, in cleansing a Tree from all superfluous and half-dead Branches, which wou'd only create a Confusion: They Strengthen other Branches that will be of use in the Sequel, by affording them the Sap, which wou'd be wasted on those scurvy ones that can never be of any use, and must of Course be taken away the Winter following. It likewise contributes towards the Beauty and Goodness of the Fruit, and serves to keep a Tree equally well furnish'd; so that, by that means, seldom, or never, any Defects wou'd appear upon any of those Peach-Trees, unless they were persecuted by that cursed Gum.

These are the Consequences of those kind of Branches, upon which the above-mention'd Prunings are perform'd. I desire all Gard'ners to follow this Discussion exactly.

These Branches, which I have a particular regard for, in relation to Fruit, shall have per∣form'd one of these six things.

First, They may either have produc'd, almost in their whole Extent, a great deal of Fruit and fine Branches, or much Fruit and ugly Branches. By fine Branches here, I mean, such as are thick enough to prove Fruit-Branches the following Year, and in the mean time bear abundance of fine Leaves: And, on the contrary, I call those poor and ugly, that are short and slender, and are incapable of bearing Fruit, only producing small Leaves.

Secondly, Those Fruit-Branches may chance only to have born Fruit upon part of their Length; for Example, the fourth part, third, or half, &c. and to have shot either fine or ugly Branches every where, or in some part; and all this, perchance, towards the upper end, and sometimes towards the lower.

Thirdly, They may chance to have produc'd no Fruit, but abundance of fine Branches; or many altogether ugly and useless.

Fourthly, They may only have produc'd a single Branch on the Extremity, with abun∣dance of Fruit every where, or without any Fruit any where.

Fifthly, They may only have produc'd one single Fruit on the Extremity, with some Branches in part of their Extent.

Lastly, They may be kill'd with Gum or Cold in their whole Extent, or only towards the Extremity.

I have had the Experience of all these Cases several times, in all which I have held the following Method.

In the first part of the first Case, in which the Fruit-Branches shall have produc'd Fruit and fine Branches in the best part of their Extent, we may rejoice at the Abundance; for, without doubt, all will go well, since the Appearances are so fair as far as the Month of May: Some of the Fruit only must be taken away, where it lies so close, that we may have cause to believe that, in growing, they might obstruct each other; for that wou'd spoil it: And likewise, in case any Confusion be threaten'd by that Multitude of new Branches, some of the meanest, and worst plac'd, may be remov'd. It is always to be wish'd, that the Lot of being retrench'd may fall upon the farthest.

In the second Part of the first Case, in which the Branch has produc'd a great deal of Fruit, but no fine Branches; on the contrary, all weak and useless; the best part of the Fruit must be taken away, since it wou'd neither grow beautiful nor good; only some of that which looks best, and is best plac'd, may be preserv'd; that is, that which grows in

the lowest part of the Branch. At the same time the said Branch must be very much short∣en'd, to reduce it to the second or third Eye or Bud of the bottom, in order to strengthen some of the best Branches that are upon it, for the next Year.

In the second Case, in which the Fruit-Branch only produces Fruit upon part of its Length, if the Fruit be grown upon the lower part of it, the Branch must be preserv'd, and shorten'd close to that, among the new ones, which appears finest, and nearest to that Fruit; it is enough when there remains one or two passable good ones.

In case the Fruit be pretty abundant, and towards the upper Extremity, that having likewise pretty fine Branches, that Fruit must likewise be preserv'd, and all the useless Branches remov'd, in the manner abovesaid; only preserving one or two of those that ap∣pear the finest, whatever part they be in, especially being in the lower part, where we are always desirous of them; for, as to the Fruit, 'tis always well plac'd, where-ever it be, even at the end of the Branches; provided always, that in preserving one or two fine Branches on the Extremity of a Fruit-Branch that has been kept of a great length, you must resolve the following Year to retrench both the Mother and Daughter, or Daugh∣ters, otherwise one part wou'd grow too thin.

In the first part of the third Case, in which the Branch has really produc'd no Fruit, but, to make amends, has shot a great many fine new Branches; in such a Case, I say, it is fit, as much as can be, to preserve the best of those Branches, being careful of not let∣ting any of them grow stronger than the other, especially towards the Extremity, for such a Branch wou'd ruin all the lower; therefore such a Branch must be wholly taken away, and Pinch'd or broken within two or three Eyes, or Buds, as we have heretofore explain'd.

In the second Part of that third Case, in which the Fruit-Branch has neither been fortu∣nate in Fruit, nor in Wood of a favourable Growth, you must wholly shorten such a Branch, to a single one of those it has produc'd; and chuse the lowest, in hopes to strengthen it, to make it good for the next Year, or take it quite away, it not answering our Intentions.

In the first Part of the Fourth Case, in which the Fruit-Branch has only produc'd a single Branch on the Extremity, with abundance of Fruit every where, I am of Opinion that such a Branch shou'd be preserv'd, provided it does not incline to become a Branch for Wood, in which case it must be broken pretty short: So that, in case such a Branch be but moderately thick, it promises much for the following Year; and as for all the little dimi∣nutive Branches, that grow among the Fruit it bears, we Prune them, as we have declar'd in the Exposition of the second Case.

Therefore there is yet more reason to use all the little Branches we meet with here with∣out Fruit in the Extent of the Branch in debate in the same manner, being certain that, for the generality, they shoot no more, being all at a stand in the Month of June: So that all our Comfort for the following Year lies in the fine Fruit-Branch that offers it self here, on the Extremity of the Branch that has blossom'd to no purpose in all its Extent.

In the fifth Case, in which the Branch that was left long, to bear a great deal of Fruit, has yet been so unfortunate, or abus'd, as not to have retain'd above one or two on the Ex∣tremity of it, and yet has shot some Branches in part of its Extent.

Several particular Regards must be had in this Case: For Example, If the Tree, on the other hand, has but little Fruit, for that being one will be tempted, and that with rea∣son, to preserve that which is known to be good, in such a Case it will be proper not to meddle with such a Branch; or else, to observe whether the Tree has produc'd a great deal of Fruit in the main; in which Case, no great difficulty must be made of losing so little, and consequently, of Pruning such a Branch again short, in order to strengthen some other that appears pretty good, and is well plac'd; which we may stand in need of for the Beau∣ty of the Tree, and for the hopes of future Years.

It will likewise be proper to consider whether the Year be universally barren, which wou'd hinder the Operation I have been advising; or whether it be a doubtful Fruit, of which, it wou'd be necessary to know the kind, either to suppress, or multiply it, &c. In which Case, it will be fit to preserve this single Peach, or those two Peaches, that are re∣maining on the top of the Branch in question, though with some Regret, out of a just fear of a future Deformity in that Tree.

For, in fine, the principal thing to be done in the Management of Peach-Trees, is, to prefer the Beauty of the whole Tree, in hopes of a future Abundance; I say, to prefer the Beauty of that Tree to a small quantity of Fruit, though really present.

In fine, In the sixth Case, in which the Branches are destroy'd by Gum, or Cold, it is neither difficult to give a good Advice, or to take it; for you must wholly take away all that is dead, and consequently useless, and disagreeable to Sight, in any part whatever, particularly on the Extremity.

This is my Method for the Second Pruning. If any thing has hinder'd the performing of it about the middle of May, it may be done until the middle of June; so that even a Third may be perform'd at that time, when on the Second of the middle of May, it has been thought fit to venture still some Lengths of Branches, and some Fruits.

It is likewise an Effect of the Second Pruning, to cut all the small, sapless Branches, that grow within the compass of the sine one, which has been produc'd that very Year; as also, to shorten, in September, the Branches of Peach-Trees that are weak, and at a stand.

I add, that the performing of such an Operation is very material, but that unfortunate∣ly it is hardly practis'd at all, or, at least, so seldom, either out of Laziness, or for want of time; the Gardner having, perhaps, too great a number of Trees, and other Works, that overwhelm him.

CHAP. XXXII.

Of the different Manners of Ordering a Peach-Tree in the Summer-time.

I Observe, among Gard'ners, three different Methods of Ordering all manner of Peach-Trees in the Summer, in relation to the young Branches they produce. The First tear or pull off indifferently all those that grow before and behind, and leave but few others: Those seem to me extreamly to blame, and unworthy the Profession they follow.

The Second cut all those Branches within three or four Eyes, or Buds, and by that means occasion abundance of Fruz, among which there sometimes grows a little Fruit, but that is pretty rare: Besides that, this Method renders the Trees ugly, and disagreeable; and therefore I disapprove it.

Lastly, The Third preserve in the Summer all the good Branches, and Pallisado them neatly; tarrying to chuse the best until the Season of Pruning: Those, in my Opinion, are in the right, and I imitate them as much as I can.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Of the Triming of superfluous needless Buds and Sprigs.

WHereas Pruning only serves barely to shorten, or wholly to take away some old Branches, that, either by their length, situation, or number, annoy a Tree; so this Triming or Picking, is only to destroy, and entirely remove young Branches of the Year, either thick, or small, growing improperly, and capable of causing a Confusion, or preju∣dicing either the whole Tree, or only the Branch on which they are grown.

The Time of Pruning, as we have declar'd, is from November, to the End of March; which Pruning must be perform'd regularly every Year; whereas the Time of the Triming is commonly about May and June, and sometimes July and August, and sometimes it is not done at all; but when there is Cause for it, it must not be neglected; and gene∣rally it cannot be done too soon, to prevent the Growth of those useless Shoots, and con∣sequently, the wasting a great deal of Sap unprofitably, which might be employ'd to better Uses: So that when it has been neglected, or not perform'd soon enough, it must be done late, if possible, since it is better to do a necessary thing late than never.

It is not easie to set down precisely what Branches must be so Prun'd, or Trim'd, par∣ticularly to satisfie those, among the Curious, who know but little, and are only Begin∣ners: But a skilful Gard'ner, who, by the Rules heretofore establish'd, has form'd to him∣self the Idea of a fine Tree, and consequently must know partly what Branches are re∣quir'd, as well for the Beauty of the Figure, as for Fruit; such a Gard'ner, I say, must needs, at first sight, know those Branches that are no ways answerable to the Idea he has conceiv'd, and consequently take them away at their very Birth, or at least from the Mo∣ment he perceives them, especially before the End of Summer; that is, before the Trees have made an end of shooting, or that such Branches are grown thick; otherwise they must remain until the time of Pruning: But, generally speaking, I may say, that this Triming or

Picking, is to retrench or take off all ill-plac'd Branches shooting from any part whatever, whether good or bad: especially such as cause a Confusion, without being proper either for Wood, or Fruit. The Knowledge of the Order in which the Branches grow, whe∣ther good or ill, which we have clearly explain'd at the beginning of this Treatise, is ab∣solutely necessary for this.

Pear-Trees must particularly be look'd to, from the very Beginning of April, to the End, that if, from a slanting Cut, which was to produce a Branch for Wood outwardly, there should grow a thick one inwardly, it may be taken away immediately, in Conside∣ration of the two Reasons which ordain Trimming.

It is likewise necessary to take away the Branches which hinder others that are better plac'd, and should be more useful, from receiving a due Nourishment; For Example, Take away high Branches, to favour low ones; by which means they would grow con∣siderable; whereas without such a help, they would remain uprofitable, and the Tree would suffer, both as to the Figure, and the Fruit we expect from it.

This Trimming or Pruning, is perform'd upon young Trees, as well as old ones; and therefore, when a young Tree at once shoots high and low Branches, with a great Inter∣val or space between them, it is proper to take away the highest, when the lowest are design'd to be preserv'd; or else the lowest, when the others deserve it better: Which is not only to be done by way of Trimming, but also by the real way of Pruning, that is, with the Pruning-Knife, when the bare Trimming or Nipping is not sufficient.

If, upon any Tree whatever, one and the same Eye produces two or three Branches, some of them must be taken away by way of Nipping off, to better the Condition of the others, as well as to avoid Confusion.

So that upon a weak Branch, which, from one Eye or Bud, shoots, for instance, two or three, and all probably weak, I will only preserve one, chusing that which appears to be the best, that is, the thickest.

But if, on the contrary, a very vigorous Branch shoots three from one and the same Eye, and that the middlemost appears too strong, and the worst plac'd, I shall, without doubt, take it away, to strengthen the two others a little; which may afterwards, the one on one side, and the other on the other, prove very serviceable to the Tree.

So upon very vigorous Trees, it is necessary, at the Nipping off or Trimming, to take away some of the strongest Branches, always preserving such as are somewhat less, provided they seem to be good; and especially, when the thick Branch that has been Prun'd shoots many, whence Confusion proceeds, the highest must be taken away, taking Care however not to dis∣burthen those kind of Trees too much, which, by reason of their great Vigour, hardly produce any other but thick Branches; whereas, on the contrary, upon Trees that have not much Vigour, all the slenderest and poorest must be taken off, in order to strengthen those that appear stronger, and yet are not so strong as they should be.

From thence it is easie to conclude, that some Trees may as well be prejudic'd by Nip∣ping off of them too much, as others by not being Nipp'd off enough: The Gard'ner's Pru∣dence must distinguish between those whose great Vigour requires one kind of Nipping off, or Trimming, and those whose Weakness requires another.

I will say by the by, that if it be judg'd that many Cyons may be requir'd to Graff Scutcheon-wise, it will be fit to be somewhat more cautious in the Nipping off of vigorous Trees, which may furnish Graffs; still taking Care that it may not prejudice the Fruit of the following Year.

It happens pretty often, that for want of having Nipp'd off, or Pallisado'd prudently, we see that, in the Confusion of Branches, some long slender ones shoot out; which must be carefully taken away at the Season of Pruning, or, at least, shorten'd to an Eye or Bud, being commonly naught.

It likewise commonly happens, that the Branch of a Peach-Tree shoots others in the very Summer, which has produc'd it, in which Case it must be examin'd and (if very poor) Nipp'd off, or taken away, in any part whatever: But if of a good thickness, having dou∣ble Eyes, or Buds, so as to be fit to make a Fruit-Branch, it must be carefully preserv'd, though only grown in July. And if the lower part of such a Branch should produce one of a reasonable thickness, so as to be proper for a Branch for Wood, it must be look'd upon as a very good Omen for the Beauty and Preservation of the Tree: But if, on the contrary, the upper part of such a Branch should shoot any which should grow so thick as to be only fit for a Branch for Wood, it must be taken away, as being in a place where we have no occasion for a Branch for Wood; besides, it would prejudice the Mother that produc'd it.

It is not much to be question'd, but that, as in Pruning a Vine, while in Sap, we visibly lose a great deal of Sap through the part so Prun'd, so in Fruit-Trees, some of the Sap

evaporates, or is wasted through the place that is cut at the time of Shooting, which is in the Summer.

It is likewise observ'd in the Pruning of Melons, that a Branch, being Prun'd, produces more new ones than that which was left Unprun'd; and therefore I advise the Pruning of too vigorous Trees late: For it is observable in Peach-Trees, that a thick, young Branch, having been cut in the Summer-time, seldom shoots afterwards, or, at least, very inconsi∣derably, insomuch that the end of it blackens and dies; the Consequence of which is, that the neighbouring Branches thereby commonly grow the more vigorous. But, indeed, neither this Nipping off, nor the Pinching, or Breaking, do waste Sap at this rate; and are so far from being dangerous Operations to be perform'd in the Summer, as is the Pru∣ning with a Knife, that they are very useful, and often very necessary.

Though this Nipping off properly relates only to the removing of Buds, it may like∣wise be understood for the Plucking off of Fruit, especially Stone-Fruit, when there is too much in one place; this Plucking off being perform'd at the same time with the Nipping off: Which Matter I treat of at large in another place, and so shall say no more of it here.

When any Branch (which seem'd to be good at the time of Pruning it, and therefore was preserv'd) grows poor, for want of a good Supply of new Sap, which happens some∣times by an inward Disorder, which could not be prevented; in such a Case, there is no other Remedy, than the taking away of such a Branch, as soon as perceiv'd. Sometimes al∣so some useless Branches may have been left by Negligence, or want of Application; which must likewise be remov'd, as soon as observ'd: And supposing some fine Fruit may be left on the Extremity of a Branch that has produc'd no new Wood, which is not com∣mon, in that Case the Branch must not be taken off until the Fruit be gather'd; after which, it must be remov'd, since it could never be good for any thing.

CHAP. XXXIV.

Particular Remarks for another material Operation, to be per∣form'd in the Summer upon some Trees, which is called Pinch∣ing, or Breaking.

PInching, in relation to Gard'ning, is, to break designedly a tender Sprig of any Plant whatever, and that without the help of any Instrument, only using the Nails of two Fingers. This way of Breaking has ever been practis'd upon the Shoots of Melons, Cowcumbers, &c. but I do not know that ever it was practis'd upon any Fruit-Trees; yet I have thought ••it to make use of it, though only upon four kind of Fruit-Trees, viz. Pear, Peach, Fig, and Orange-Trees; and I shall only treat here of what relates to the thick new Branches of vigorous Peach-Trees, and the thick new Branches shooting from slit Graffs made upon old Pear-Trees, being still in a pretty good Case: I will treat in other places of what relates to the Pinching of Orange and Fig-Trees, and even of Strawberry-Plants, and Raddishes run up to Seed, &c.

The Reason which made me imagine this way of Pinching these two sorts of Trees, and that makes me use it pretty often, is, that it being most certain that Fruit seldom grows upon thick Branches, and commonly upon the weak ones, I thought, if it were possible to order Matters so, that the Sap, which is wholly employ'd in producing but one thick Branch, which proves either useless, or cumbersom; I say, if it could be order'd so, that this Sap might be so divided as to produce several Branches, there is no Question to be made, but in the Quantity there would be some weak ones, or perhaps many, which consequently would be proper to bear Fruit instead of that, and, as we have already said, the thick Branch would have produc'd no good Effect.

I have found the thing possible, and that it is requir'd, not only in May, but sometimes in June and July, to break the thick new Shoots of those kind of Trees, while yet tender, and as easie to break as Glass; which is most true.

This Operation is founded upon a Reason which I have explain'd in my Reflections, and therefore is not necessary here.

Having then, at the time heretofore mention'd, broken some of those thick new Shoots within two or three Eyes, or Buds, I have often obtain'd what I desir'd by it, that is, as many Branches as I had left Eyes; and, indeed, a vigorous Tree cannot have too many,

provided they be good, and well plac'd. Among the Branches proceeding from such Pinching, if I may use the Expression, commonly some have prov'd weak, and those have born Fruit; some have prov'd pretty strong, and have been Branches for Wood: If the Sap, which produc'd such thick Branches, and form'd them with a lively, vigorous Action, met in its way an Obstacle, to stop it short in the heighth of its Action, and con∣sequently hindring it from following its Course in continuing to rise, as it would do, not being hinder'd; in such a Case, this Sap, which, in the mean time, cannot cease acting, being forc'd to get out one way or other, would burst out by as many Cranies, or Over∣tures, as it would find near that place where it was stop'd; or, upon necessity, would make some of it self.

But it must be noted, that this Pinching is seldom to be practis'd upon any but the thick Branches of the Top, which would remain useless by their Situation, and yet would consume abundance of good Sap superfluously; and therefore it ought to be very seldom us'd upon the thick Branches of the lower part, it being always very necessary to pre∣serve them until the Winter-Pruning, in order to their shooting some others the following Year, sit to fill such places as naturally, and for the most part, are but too subject to be thin.

It is likewise to be observ'd, that this Pinching, or Breaking off, must never be perform'd upon weak Branches; which, having no more Sap than they want, to be good, would only produce slender, Sapless ones in that place, where the small Portion of Sap which Na∣ture allows them should be divided.

And therefore nothing must be broken upon such Trees as produce but too many of those weak Branches, and few of those good thick ones: There are some of this Character to be found among all kind of Peach-Trees.

The best time for Pinching, particularly in cold Climes, like ours of Paris, and the Neighbourhood of it, as we have already said, is, at the End of May, and the Beginning of June; and when necessary to be perform'd a second time, the time of the Solstice, or longest Days of the Year, is admirable for it, as well as to Water some Trees in a dry Soil, when Rain is wanting; at which time there is a wonderful re-doubling of Action in the Roots, and consequently in the Branches; that being, indeed, the time of the greatest Effort of all the Spring.

We have already observ'd, that the first Fury of Stone-Fruits begins to appear at the Full-Moon of April, which commonly falls out in May; and we are going to see another kind of Fury at the First Quarter of the Moon of the said Month of May; both which times are good for Pinching: And, indeed, we observe, that all the Branches of every Tree do not begin to shoot vigorously at the same time; so that what has not been Pinch'd or broken off at the first Season, may be done at the second.

I have said, that the best time to Pinch the thick new Branches of Peach-Trees, was, at the time they are easie to break at the least pull, without being oblig'd to use a Knife to shorten them: From thence it is easie to judge, that I have found it dangerous to use In∣struments to cut such Branches, which is true; for, as I have said heretofore, the Extre∣mity or End of such Branches so cut, is apt to blacken and die, it certainly not producing the same Effect with that which proceeds from the Action of Pinching. The same thing may be said of the thick, tender Branches, proceeding from the Graff's of Pear-Trees, made upon a thick, vigorous Stock; however, Experience teaches us, that the Knife is not so dangerous upon these, as upon those of Peach-Trees.

CHAP. XXXV.

Of what is to be done to some Trees, being extraordinarily vigorous, not Bearing of Fruit.

THere still remains to see what is to be done in relation to some Trees being extraor∣dinary vigorous, to that degree, that they remain sometimes many Years, only pro∣ducing much Wood, and little Fruit, and pretty often none at all, as most Pear and Apple-Trees are, being Graffed upon free Stocks; and particularly, how to preserve a Tree pro∣ducing only small Shoots, and most of them of false Wood, or which yearly shews its In∣firmity at the end of iss Branches, and by the colour of its Leaves.

As to the very vigorous Tree, particularly in question here, many People propose, as soveraign and infallible, abundance of Expedients and Remedies, which I have tried a long while, with great Application; yet, upon my Word, without the least Success.

To bore a Hole through the Stem of a Tree, and put a Peg of dry Oak into it; to split one of the main Roots, and put a Stone into it; to Prune at the time of the Declinings of the Moon, &c. are wretched Secrets of good old People, infatuated with old Maxims; People who have but little Skill in Vegetation, and are easily satisfy'd.

For my part, besides my being persuaded by Experience, that my manner of Pruning often prevents the Difficulty now in question, I have moreover, in case of great Obstina∣cy, recourse to what I have said elsewhere, it being really the best thing that can be done; which is, that, as constantly the Fruit on Trees, is only an Effect, or, at least, a Mark of a certain moderate Weakness, it is necessary, without minding a thousand Tri∣fles, to go to the Source of the Vigour of the Tree, that is, to the Roots, uncovering half of them, and cutting off one, two, or three of the thickest on that side, and consequently the most active; insomuch that the least part of them may not remain, to be capable of acting, or producing the least Thread of a capilar Root: The Roots of the other Moity, (for I suppose there may be good ones; otherwise, so many must not be taken away from the Side uncovered;) the Roots, I say, of the other Moity, left untouch'd, will be sufficient to nourish the whole Tree.

This Remedy is infallible to prevent such Trees from being, as it were, resty to our Cares and Industry, and will soon make them produce Fruit; by reason that this will put a stop to the Production of the Sap, so that it shall not be so abounding as before, one, two, or three of the chief Workers being remov'd; and thus the weak Branches will only re∣ceive a moderate Nourishment, and the Buds begun, instead of extending, will grow round, and consequently turn to Fruit-Buds, will Blossom, and finally yield what is desired of them.

Philosophers may Criticise upon, and explain this as they please; but still it is most cer∣tain, that the thing happens as I have said.

To Root up such Trees, and re-plant them immediately, with the main part of their Roots and Branches, either in the same place, or in another, as some Authors propose it, is sometimes an effectual Remedy; but it seems to me somewhat too violent, since some∣times it threatens Death, and often makes an ugly Tree, which, in my Opinion, is as great a Defect as the other; for which reason I use it but seldom, though sometimes I do.

CHAP. XXXVI.

Of the Conduct, or Culture of Fig-Trees.

AFter having said in another place, and that after a long Experience, that a ripe Fig, according to my Pallat, is the best of all the Fruits growing upon Trees, that hi∣therto I have met with; and, indeed, is look'd upon as being the most delicious, by all judicious Persons; I thought my self oblig'd, in this general Treatise of the Culture of Fruits, to make a particular one for the Conduct of this.

Before I enter upon this matter, I cannot forbear expressing my Astonishment, con∣sidering that notwithstanding the singular Esteem most People have for good Figs, it was a general Custom in this Country to have but a very small quantity of them in each Garden, not exceeding two or three at most, and even those commonly abandon'd in some inner Yard, expos'd to all manner of ill Treatment, without the least Culture. Indeed, in warmer Climates they are better, and more honourably treated; there are always abundance of them, not only in Gardens, and under the shelter of a House, but particularly in Vine-yards, in Hedges, and in the open Fields; and they make a considerable Trade of those that are preserv'd, and dry'd, which I do not mention here.

I am sensible, that the difficulty of preserving Fig-Trees from the great Colds of the Winter, is the chief Reason for which we have so few of them in our Climates; but yet, considering the Consequence and Merit of their Fruit, in my Opinion, People should have made it their Study, a little more than they have done, to enjoy, to a higher degree, that rich Present of Nature.

It is not necessary to repeat here what I have said at large in the Treatise of the Choice and Proportion of Fruits, touching the Diversity of the Kinds of Figs, nor of my prefer∣ring the white ones, whether long, or round, for this Country, to all the others: Neither will I repeat what I have said, as to the Situation which is most proper for them.

I shall only relate the manner of my Cultivating of them; and especially, how that, notwithstanding the ill Custom, which made us be satisfy'd with a few of them, I have

apply'd my self to the breeding of many; and that not only by the common Way of Planting them in Espaliers, or against Walls, but also in an extraordinary manner, that is, in Cases, which is both pretty new, pleasant and useful; which, if I may be allow'd to introduce a new Expression, may be call'd a Figuerie, in imitation of Orangeries.

The Delight His Majesty takes in that Fruit, and the danger of Dying, to which all Fig-Trees are expos'd in the open Ground, in great Frosts, or, at least, of bearing no Fruit that Year, have been two powerful Motives for me, who am honour'd with the Place of Director of all the Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens belonging to the Royal Family, to in∣duce me to bethink my self of the Means of Certainly having a great many Figs every Year.

In the performance of which, I have met with very little difficulty; for, in the first place, the common Mould of every Garden, mix'd with an equal quantity of Soil or small Dung, turn'd to Mould, is extraordinary good for it. Secondly, The Roots of Fig-Trees, instead of being hard and thick, like those of other Fruit-Trees, either Stone, or Kernel, on the contrary, remain soft and flexible, and commonly slender, and so are easily order'd in Cases, and even with more case than those of Orange-Trees, which thrive so well in them. Thirdly, These kind of Trees naturally produce abundance of Roots; so that it is very ca∣sie for them to live fatly and vigorously in a small quantity or space of Ground, provided Moisture be not wanting. Besides, the universal Approbation I have met with in this Undertaking, and the Imitation that has follow'd it by many of the Curious, have en∣courag'd me to make a considerable progress in this Figuerie, or Fig-Garden; and that which has most induc'd me to proceed in it, is, that the Fruit ripens a great deal sooner here than in the main Ground, and is somewhat better, and yellower, the Earth which is easily heated in the Cases, producing the first good Effect, and the open Air the two others.

To which I might add, the pleasure of seeing in this Country abundance of Fig-Trees in the open Air, (which seem'd to be altogether reserv'd for hot Countries,) and that of being, in the Summer, in the middle of a Wood, abounding with Figs; there to chuse and gather the sinest and ripest, without any trouble.

Therefore I have bred abundance of Fig-Trees in Cases, having found that, besides the Advantages above related, there was yet another which is very considerable; and that is, that, to preserve them securely, and with Ease, in the Winter, an ordinary Covering to keep off the great Frost is sufficient, that Covering or Shelter not being near so considerable as those for Orange-Trees and Jessemins, these both stripping or casting their Leaves at the least Cold, by which they are almost utterly spoil'd; every body knowing, that a Fall of Leaves, proceeding from the Rigour of Cold, or too much Moisture, denotes, in those Trees, at least, a great Infirmity in the Branches so stripp'd, insomuch that it is almost impossible to recover them; whereas we have no Leaves to preserve on our Fig-Trees, it is only Wood, I mean Branches, of which the Wood is pretty course, though extreamly Pithy, or Sappy; insomuch, that it resists the Cold much better than Orange-Trees, it being certain that this Wood, which of it self is pretty tender, notwithstanding, dries up at the usual Fall of the Leaves, and consequently grows hard; the reason of which is, that the Roots of Fig-Trees ceasing to act within, from the time the Leaves begin to fall on the out-side, the Wood no longer receiving any new Sap, ceases to fear the Rigour of the Sea∣son; whereas the Wood of the Orange-Trees and Jessamins, by the perpetual Operation of their Roots, remains as tender in the Winter as it is all the rest of the Year: Which is the reason that, as the Sap continually rises, particularly for the Nourishment of those Leaves that remain upon the Branches, as well as for the Nourishment of the Branches themselves; that Sap, at that time, as it were, keeps both the one and the other so sen∣sible to Frost and Moisture, that thereby they often fall into those great Disorders, known by every body, which are almost the greatest they are liable to.

It being then granted, that, for the preservation of our Fig-Trees, it is sufficient that the great Frost should not light directly upon their Branches, it follows from thence, that it is sufficient for the Conservatory to be reasonably close, as well at the top, as at the Doors and Windows; insomuch that the Ground may have been pretty well frozen in the Cases, and yet the Fig-Tree receive no prejudice by it: So that a moderate low Cellar, or a Sta∣ble, or a Common-Hall, which would be so pernicious to Orange-Trees and Jessemins, may not be amiss for our Fig-Trees; not but if that place were very moist, it might harm them: As also a Cas'd Fig-Tree, remaining in the Winter without a Covering, would be much more endanger'd than another in the main Ground; for a thick Frost would kill the Roots, as well as the Head; whereas a Fig-Tree, planted in open Ground, would, at least, be preserv'd towards the Roots.

The Time of putting Fig-Trees in the Conservatories, is the Month of November; that is, they must be plac'd there as soon as the thick or great Frosts are coming on, there to re|

without wanting the least Culture, or any Care, besides the keeping of the place as close as can be, and that only during the great Colds; for, excepting that time, they need not be kept so close.

Lastly, They may be taken out again about the middle of March, and sometimes at the very beginning, the Weather being very fair, and the Seasons of great Frosts appear∣ing, in some manner, past: There is no need of staying, till there is nothing at all to fear, for the new Figs; for then there would be a necessity of staying until the end of April; it happening pretty often, that, until that time, there are certain Frosts, which blacken and kill them, though reasonably thick. The reason which obliges to take them out sooner, is, that it is necessary Fig-Trees should immediately enjoy the Rays of the Sun, and some soft Showers of March and April, in order to be able to shoot their first Fruit with success, to the end, above all things, that those Fruits may insensibly be us'd to the open Air; which must make them grow, and ripen betimes; it being most certain, that the Figs which grow under Covert, coming into the open Air, are apt to blacken, and so perish, even without any Frost, or considerable Cold; a North-East Wind, or excessive Heat, in the first Days of their coming out, destroying them without Redemption: Whereas those Figs that have been a little enur'd to the Air, have harden'd themselves so, as to be able to resist, notwithstanding the Intemperature of the Season.

In taking the Fig-Trees out of the Conservatory, at the time prefix'd, there are only two things to be done: The first is, to put them immediately along, and as close as can be to some good Walls, expos'd to the South or East; and there leave them, until the Full-Moon of April be past, which is about the beginning of May. This situation is ve∣ry necessary for them, to enjoy the Aspect of the Father of Vegetation, and be soak'd by the Rains of the Spring, as well as to find some Shelter against the Morning-Frosts of the Remains of Winter, which are those of March and April; because that, whereas this wonderful Fruit shoots out at that time, ready form'd, from the Body of the Branch; pre∣senting it self thus, all on the sudden, without the help of any Covering, or being accom∣pany'd with Blossoms, or Leaves, it must needs be very tender in the first Days of its Birth; and therefore such Frosts, which are very common and frequent at those times, falling then upon them, would prove very dangerous, or rather mortal; insomuch that, though this Shelter be favourable to Fig-Trees, both to such that are planted in the Ground, as well as to those that are in Cases, yet, notwithstanding, it is necessary to cover them with Sheets, or Straw, or long dry Dung, or Peas-Cods, when-ever they seem to be threaten'd by some Frost: The cold North-West Winds, North, and North-East, or some Ha••••, or melted Snow, seldom fail to occasion it in the Night, after having commonly fore-told it the Day before: Woe to the Gard'ner who neglects, or does not improve the Signal of such an ill Omen.

The second thing that is to be done, after having remov'd Fig-Trees out of the Conser∣vatory, and having thus plac'd them under shelter, is, (to use the Phrase of Gard'ners) to give them a good Wetting in every Case; which is, one good substantial Wate∣ring; insomuch that all the Moat may be soak'd by it; and there shall hardly need any more Watering, until, with some Leaves, the Fruit begins to appear all together, and even a little thick, which is about the middle of April; the Spring-Rains will supply other Waterings, but this first Watering is absolutely necessary, to soak the Ground a-new, which, after four or five Months Confinement, was grown quite dry; otherwise the Roots, at the coming in of the hot Weather, should not be capable, for want of Moisture, to renew their Action; and consequently, there should be no good Motion of Vegetation, either to nourish and thicken that new Fruit the sooner, or to afford us the sooner Leaves, and new Wood; with a Certainty, that the sooner Fig-Trees shoot in the Spring, the sooner we shall have the second Figs of Autumn. I will take notice by the by here, that the first Figs grow independently from the Action of the Roots, just as the Blossoms of other Fruit-Trees open; and produce their first Buds independently, from the Action of their Roots.

Lastly, The Cold, that is the great Enemy of those Figs, being gone, which happens commonly about the middle of May, the Cases must be remov'd from that Shelter, and put somewhat at large, to be in the open Air, especially in some little Garden, well sur∣rounded with good Walls; they may be dispos'd so, as to border, or form Allies on both sides, or else a little green Wood, as I do, when there are enough for it; which is that I call, and ought to be call'd, a Figuerie, or Fig-Garden.

As soon as these Cases are thus dispos'd of, they must be allow'd another good Watering, the same to be continu'd once a Week, until the end of May; after which, they must be Water'd, at least, twice a Week; and lastly, towards the middle of June, they must re∣ceive great and frequent Waterings, almost once a Day.

But, before I come to this, in order to gain Time, and to get with ease a great many Fig-Trees, for the Establishment and Maintenance of my Fig-Garden, I begin by making, towards the middle of March, an ordinary Bed, or Colich, of good Dung, of about three Foot high, in proportion to four or five Foot in Breadth, and as much in Length as my Oc∣casion requires: I let the great Heat of it pass, which commonly lasts five or six Days; after which, having provided Earthen Pots about five or six Inches Diameter, or small Cases about seven or eight: I fill those Pots, or Cases, with the Mould of the Garden, mix'd, as I have said, with an equal quantity of Soil or small, old, consummated Dung, or with nothing else; that Soil being very good for the first Multiplication of Roots, but would not be so good for the other Casings. Care must be taken to press that Earth very close in∣to the bottom of the Pot, as well as in the bottom of the Case; it will suffice to have two or three Inches loose on the top.

After this, I take small Fig-Trees, altogether Rooted, and after having extreamly shor∣ten'd all their Roots, I put them, about three or four Inehes deep, into the said Pots, or Cases, allowing each but about four or five Inches Stem: (Fig-Trees in Cases cannot be too short body'd:) Afterwards I put the said Pots, or Cases, up to the Middle in the aforesaid Bed. A considerable part of those Fig-Trees, so Planted, commonly take, and produce, that very Year, some pretty fine Shoots, and in a pretty good number; provided, as is absolutely necessary, they be well Water'd during the Summer, and that the Bed has been heated twice or thrice on the sides, to keep it always reasonably hot.

When I make use of Pots, I take out of the Pots, that very Summer, or, at least, in Autumn, or the following Spring, those little Fig-Trees that have shot well in those Pots, to put them together, with the Mote into Cases, of about seven or eight Inches, fill'd up with the prepar'd Earth; which, above all, as I have already said, must have been press'd close into the bottom, to hinder that Mote, and the new Roots that shall grow, from descending too soon, and too easily, into that Bottom; and to do it yet more effectually, in Casing of them, I observe the same Method as in Casing of Orange-Trees, excepting only Rubbish, and pieces of old and dry Plaister, which are no wise necessary here; that is, I Plant these Fig-Trees in such a man∣ner, that the Superficies of the Mote, may exceed the Edge of the Case about two or three Inches; and, with Douves put on the sides, I keep in the Earth, and the Water of the Waterings, so that none of it can be wasted; the weight of the Cases, and especially the frequent Waterings, together with the moving or transporting of the Fig-Trees so Cased sinking the Surface but too soon.

Great Care being taken to Water those young Fig-Trees, in those little Cases, they be∣gin pretty often to produce Fruit in them the very Year of their being Cas'd; at least, they are in a Condition to produce some the following Years. They must be kept two Years in those kind of little Cases, in order to be put next into larger, of about thirteen or fourteen Inches in the in-side; in order to which, two thirds of the Mote, must of necessity be taken away, Planting them especially, as I have already said, a little high, and pressing the Ground, as close as can be, into the Bottom: Which things must all be done of necessity, at every Removal out of the Cases.

They are to remain in these, until there be a necessity of changing them a-new: which must be done as soon as the Fig-Trees are observ'd to shoot no more thick Wood, which commonly happens at the end of the third or fourth Year after their being Cas'd: At which time they must be taken out of those Chests, and, after having perform'd the Ope∣rations heretofore explain'd, put again either into the same Cases, if, after having serv'd three or four Years, they are still good enough; which happens but seldom, the great Waterings rotting many of them; or into other new Cases of the same Size.

Those Fig-Trees must be left three or four Years longer in those kind of Cases, being about thirteen or fourteen Inches in the in-side; and afterwards, as soon as it is observable, by the Marks above explain'd, that there is a necessity of changing them, the same Me∣thod as before must be us'd, to put them into other Cases of seventeen or eighteen Inches; in which they must likewise be preserv'd for the space of three or four Years; at the end of which, they must be remov'd again, for the fourth time, in the manner aforesaid, either into the same Cases, or into others of the same Size.

The difficulty of Transportation commonly hinders me, after the wearing out of these second Cases of eighteen Inches, from venturing to put them into larger; which, not∣withstanding, would be very proper for them, being about twenty one or twenty two Inches, which, however, should be the last I would remove them into, unless I had very great Conveniencies, both for the Transporting of them, and for the Laying of them up.

And whereas, at length, those Cased Fig-Trees would grow to such a degree of largeness and weight, as would require too many Machines to move them, and even too great a quantity of Water to give them due Waterings, I abandon them, after having Cul∣tivated them for the space of fifteen or twenty Years; and take no farther Care of them, than to Plant them, either into our own Gardens, or in some of our Friends; for which they are yet good enough, provided Care be taken to cut off a considerable part of their Wood, and especially the main part of their Roots; or else, with a great deal of Regret, I resolve to burn them. But, in the mean time, in order to have my Conservatory, and my Fig-Garden, always equally fill'd, I yearly rear up new ones, in the manner aforesaid; which serve to fill up the room of the old ones I have been oblig'd to part with.

The best of it is, that the Breeding of them is easie: First, Because the Feet of the Fig-Trees that are Planted in the main Ground shoot abundance of Rooted Suckers. Secondly, Be∣cause it is very easie to lay Branches into the Ground, round about every old Foot, in or∣der to their taking Root. And Finally, because some may be bred by means of bended Layers, plac'd a little in the Shade, it is good to make a little Gash in those towards the Extremity, though many succeed without it.

Thus there are abundance of Means, and all very easie, in order to make a pretty good Provision of small young Fig-Trees: Wo to that Gard'ner who does not do it, and does not use his utmost Skill to multiply so good a Tree; trying immediately, whenever he is oblig'd to cut some Fig-Branches, to make those Layers take Root; at he may do, pro∣vided it has a little Wood of two Years standing; because that those cut Branches that are but of a Years standing, are much apter to rot, than to take Root.

The greatest Inconveniency attending Cases, is that which I have mention'd hereto∣fore; which is, that, during the Months of June, July, August, and September, there is an indispensible necessity of Watering them largely every Day, insomuch that the Wa∣ter may penetrate through the bottom of the Case; at least, without fail, they must be Water'd so every other Day, unless it Rains very hard; not that the Water of Rains often penetrates the Body of the Mote; but, because while it Rains, there is no Sun-shine ca∣pable of penetrating through the Case, to dry up the Roots; which is the only Reason that may stop the Continuation of Watering.

Neither must small Rains be minded, they are of no use to Fig-Trees; on the contrary, often prejudice them, by persuading the Gard'ner they are sufficient to supply the want of Watering, which they are not; the broad Leaves of Fig-Trees hindering the Earth (which lies very close in the Case, and is very hard by an Infinity of Roots) from being soak'd by an inconsiderable Rain, since even great Showers cannot do it.

It is most certain that the Fruit is in danger of dropping down, and perishing, the Roots of Fig-Trees ceasing never so little to act, for want of Moisture, and to furnish the Figs with the perpetual help they stand indispensibly in need of; which will certainly happen, upon failure of the great and frequent Waterings we recommend: For those Figs that have wanted the least Nourishment, remain flobby, and, as it were, full of Wind, instead of being fill'd up with a good pithy Pulp; and so, instead of Ripening, drop down; which is the greatest Inconvenience that can be fear'd; and consequently, this requires so great an Application, that it is no easie matter to succeed in Fig-Gardens.

The Fig-Trees Planted in the main Ground requires no such Slavery; since such as are Planted even in very dry Soils commonly produce Fine Large Good Figs; the Roots which have the liberty of extending round about, tho' the Earth be never so parch'd, still find wherewithal to perform their Function and Duty: and in imitation of those, when the bot∣toms of Cases touch the Ground, commonly some Roots get out of it, which take into that very Ground, and there multiply to that degree, that they are able to live without frequent Waterings: But then they are liable to other Inconveniencies, which I shall men∣tion in the Sequel.

There now remains to speak of the Pruning and Pinching or Breaking, which I Pra∣ctice upon Fig-Trees, either Planted in the main Ground, or in Cases; both for the For∣ming of Fine Trees, according to the Beauty proper to those Trees, as well as to make them shoot the Figs the sooner, every one in their Season; that is, not only the first, which are call'd Blossom-Figs, but also the second, call'd Autumn, or Second-Figs, and Figs of the second Sap, &c.

As to the Beauty proper to Fig-Trees in Cases, it is not to be expected that it can be so regular as that of Orange-Trees, that are likewise in Cases; neither can the Beauty of Fig-Trees, either Dwarf-Standards, or against a Wall, be expected so perfect as that of Dwarf-Pear-Trees, or other Wall-Fruits.

We have sufficiently explain'd those kind of Beauties, each in particular, in Treatises written upon that Subject, without repeating it here: It will suffice to say, That the

Beauty of Fig-Trees in Cases, consists chiefly in being real Dwarf-Standards, without having any Stem if possible; and lastly, in not Shooting too high, or being too much Extended, and open, with great bare Branches, which is but too common in those Trees, unless an extraordinary Care be taken of them.

There is no great necessity of saying, that at the end of Winter, or at the beginning of the Spring, it will be necessary to Trim or Pluck off all the Dead Wood of Fig-Trees, either in the main ground, or in Cases, no body being ignorant of it: Those kind of Trees having very Pithy or Sappy Branches, are liable to have a great many of them spoyl'd, tho' the Cold be never so moderate. We have often Experienc'd it, particularly in the Win∣ter of 1675. in which there was not half an inch of Ice in any part, and yet a considera∣ble number of Fig-Tree Branches perish'd; as if the absence of heat alone was capable to destroy them; consequently, a far greater quantity must perish in long hard Winters, as we had in 1670, and 1676. in which, the Frost was so terrible, and our Gard'ners suf∣fer'd so much by it, that they were forc'd almost in all parts, to cut the thickest Fig-Trees, within the very Foot, altho' they had been pretty well cover'd either with Straw, or dry Dung; even in so much, that the very Snow, which is a Soveraign Remedy for the Preservation of many young Tender Plants, as Pease, Strawberries, and Lettuce, &c. could not avail for the preservation of those Well-belov'd unfortunate Fig-Trees; nay, rather Contributed to their destruction.

It is true, that some Gard'ners, tho' pretty Careful, have (notwithstanding their Care) had the Ill luck to see part of their Fig-Trees Perish, when no body could impute the least fault to them, which was occasion'd by the Walls where those Fig-Trees were Planted, not being thick enough to hinder the rigour of the Frost from penetrating through them; hap∣py are those whose Fig-Trees are Planted against good Buildings, particularly, near Chim∣neys, that are actually us'd, or at least, against Walls about two foot thick, and well ex∣pos'd: Happy likewise are those who have them in dry Elevated Situations, and yet in a good Ground.

And Consequently, unhappy all those, who having none of these advantages, are expos'd to all that's pernicious for Fig-Trees, as thin Walls to their Gardens, a Cold and Moist Soil, wanting both a favourable Climate, and Situation.

Since then Fig-Trees are as difficult in the preservation, as their Fruit is Precious; let us give an exact Summary of what we think most proper, at least to endeavour the de∣fending of them as much as can be possible, from what is capable of destroying of them.

The Inconveniencies wherewith they are threaten'd, do not hinder me, as I have already declar'd, in the Treatise of the Choice and Proportion of Fruit, from advising every body to Plant a reasonable quantity of them; I mean in the main Ground, having somewhat of the Situation that is proper for them, tho wanting some of the Conditions that were to be wish'd for, for them.

Great Winters do not happen so often, as to discourage us for ever from having some of those kind of Trees, which produce such an Excellent Fruit.

The most material thing in this Case for the Culture, is first, during the Summer, and Autumn, to give their Branches some liberty, the Fruits growing better, and more easily upon them: They must neither be Constrain'd, nor Pallisado'd, or tack'd like the Branches of other Wall-Fruit-Trees; it will suffice to uphold them before with some Pearches barely plac'd upon great Hooks driven into the Walls, so as to be at three foot distance from each other; and that beginning from the bottom, there may be a Row within a foot of the Ground, Checker-wise: Those Hooks must be four Inches into the Wall, and about eight on the outside, made, as it appears in the Figure.

[illustration]

In the second Place, every Year, as soon as the Leaves of Fig-Trees are fallen, that is, as soon as the Winter draws nigh, whatever that Winter may prove; for we must always 〈◊〉〈◊〉 its being Violent, which dread ought to produce good effects in us; every year, I 〈◊〉〈◊〉, we must as much as can be constrain the Branches of those Fig-Trees, as near as we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Walls, either with Nails and List, or else with Osirs, Poles, and Pearches; but yet so, that they may neither break, nor crack; after which, must be apply'd to them a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made of Straw, about two or three Inches in thickness, or else bare Straw in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of those Frames, or rather Long Dung, about the thickness of four or five Inches; all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being well prop'd with Pearches, most broadwise, and some crosswise, taking care that

no part may remain bare, and expos'd to the weather. Besides all which, another parcel of the same long Dung must be kept ready near the Fig-Trees, to double the Coverings if need be, one single Night being sufficient to ruine all. North East Winds, as we had them in the Winter 1676. and the South Winds, like unto those of the Winter 1670. are likewise sometimes Mortal for Fig-Trees, and commonly more than full North, so that a guard must be kept equally against them all.

Whenever then any body designs to have Fig-Trees, they must be prepar'd to take all the Care we have mention'd, as necessary for their Preservation: But when, notwithstand∣ing all this, some prove so unfortunate as not to succeed, which without doubt will hap∣pen but seldom, provided the Walls they stand against, are condition'd as aforesaid: Al∣though I say, this should happen, in my Opinion it ought not to trouble one, since nothing has been wanting that lay in the Power of Man.

The Winter being past, and even the Month of March almost quite spent, if the Fig-Trees stand against the Wall, only half their Covering must be taken away, especially that part the Winter may have spoyl'd or rotten, and leave the Branches still fix'd thus to the Wall, at least always half cover'd, without altering any thing about them, until the Full Moon of April; provided always, that if the Full Moon of March, which happens in the Passion-Week, seems to threaten some Frost, as it often does, you must not fail at the least signal of it to redouble the Coverings immediately, there to leave them until the Weather appear more certain, and the Figs are grown to the bigness of a Large Pea; which in our Climates seldom happens until the beginning of May; for as we have already said, the main part of the great Colds seldom leave us 'till then: At which time it will be proper to put some small Branches, heretofore ty'd and constrain'd, at liberty; but yet, as I have like∣wise said, not without propping them with Pearches crosswise, to hinder them from falling too much forward: This, in my Opinion, is a sufficient stay, those Pearches put upon Hooks supporting the Branches very well, and hindering them, not only from falling, but also from breaking, and being ruffled by the Wind, and the Fruit is thereby preserv'd sound and intire.

I must farther add, that Large Sheets are proper enough to cover (during dangerous or suspected Nights) Fig-Trees being near the Wall, either Planted there, or in Cases; to which end they must be fasten'd to the Pearches, like Sails to Masts, and besides, put other long Perches almost straight over the Fig-Trees, to hinder the Sheets being agitated by the Winds, from touching the Fruit, the rubbing of the Sheets against them never failing to spoyl them; so that it will likewise be convenient to tie those Sheets near the Ground, by means of some Hooks that may hinder them from such Agitations.

The third Material thing to be done for the Culture of those Fig-Trees, is early to remove at the end of Winter, or even at the end of Autumn, the greatest part of the Suckers or Layers they shoot from their Foot, without preserving any, unless it be some that may appear to be of use, either to fill up the sides, or to supply the room of such as are dead, or dying: Besides, a good use will be made of those Suckers, or Layers, Planting them in some Trench made on purpose for it near some good Wall; and whether there, or elsewhere, Care must be taken to cover them so well, that the great Cold may not be able to spoil them.

It is not less necessary to hinder as much as can be, those Fig-Trees from raising soon to a great heighth, for Example, to two or three fathom, to the end, that keeping them al∣ways of a moderate heighth, they may consequently always remain full, and well furnish'd, especially, easie to cover in the Winter time, which cannot be when they are too high: Therefore from year to year the thick new Branches must seldom be allow'd more than a Foot, a Foot and a half, or two Foot at most, which is the only Pruning they require, after having, as we have already said, clear'd them from all manner of dead Wood.

Moreover, towards the end of March, it is fit to break the end of the Extremety of every thick Branch, which may chance not to be above a Foot in length, provided the Winter has not already spoil'd it, which happens commonly to such as have only been finish'd a great way in Autumn, but seldom happens to such as have been perfected betimes; however, that end which appears black, wrinkled, and dead, must be cut neatly.

This Method of Pinching or Pruning, serves to make several New Branches grow forked, instead of shooting single, which in regularity would have grown straight, that end being indeed a real beginning of a Branch: This breaking then promises a greater quan∣tity of Figs, either for the second, which is most common, or for the first of the Summer for the following year; it being certain, that from the Navel of every Leaf a Fig will in∣fallibly grow, and sometimes two at once, for one of those two Seasons.

This Breaking, or small Pruning of the Bud, which appears on the Extremity, serves be∣sides, as it seems, to make the Figs shoot out the sooner, and consequently to Ripen them

sooner, since the first that come out of the Tree are always the first Ripe upon that Tree; It serves likewise, without doubt, to make them grow the larger, by reason that the Sap being thus hinder'd from rising as quick as it would have done without this Pruning, slips, as it were, into the adjacent Parts, and consequently into the Figs, and so serves to nourish them better than they should have been.

The same Operation which we perform in Breaking or Cutting in the Months of March, and April, the ends of the Shoots of the preceding year, which is to be understood of those that are thick, and moderately long; for the slender ones must be almost taken away quite, and as for those that are very thick, and very long, we have heretofore de∣clar'd how they must be shorten'd: The same Operation must be perform'd at the begin∣ning of June, upon the thick Branches shot in the Spring, and that likewise in Order to mul∣tiply that very Summer the Branches that are to grow, and consequently to multiply the first Figs of the following year; for many Figs must not be expected in either Season, unless by means of Pinching a great many good new Branches be prepar'd, which happens infallibly, when People are careful of Pinching; besides, this very Operation produces yet a wonderful effect, which is to hinder the Tree from mounting too much, and too soon, and from having Branches that may prove too thick, and too long, as well as bare, which is much to be fear'd.

If the preceeding year some thick Branches have been allow'd a pretty length, which in their time have been good and useful, and yet give cause to fear the inconvenience of Thinness, or Barrenness, they must in the Months of April, and May, especially having no Fruit upon them, be shorten'd very low, close to the old Wood, in hopes that new Branches may proceed from that Pruning; but that is no more infallible here, than upon the old Branches of shorten'd Peach-Trees: However, it will serve at least not to leave any thing with too much length, which might cause an Emptiness, or Barrenness; and in the mean time the Sap will perform its effect upon some of the adjacent Branches, and some∣times also upon the old one that has been shorten'd; but yet it is certain that Fig-Trees ne∣ver shoot so well, as from the Natural Extremity, I mean the Extremity of the Branches of the preceeding years growth, not having been Cut.

Fig-Trees, in relation to their Fruit, are contrary to all other Fruit-Trees, because that the thick Branches of Fig-Trees, provided they be not of false Wood, they being liable to it, as well as other Trees, produce the Fruit; whereas the slender ones produce it in other Fruit-Trees; therefore as much Care must be had in destroying the slender Branches upon these Trees, as in preserving them upon others.

Those Branches of false Wood, or Suckers, are known here by flat Eyes, or Buds, and their being at a great distance from each other, in the same manner as upon Stone and Kernel Fruit; which Branches must of necessity be Prun'd somewhat short, which needs not be done to such which being happily grown on the Extremities of other Branches, are both very good, and of a moderate length, and as such have thick or large close Eyes, or Buds.

It is likewise particularly to be Noted, That in the Pruning of the thick Branches here is a greater Conflict to undergo, than in other Trees; since, as we have already often said, the thick Branches never produce or bear Fruit upon those, and only serve for the Figure: Whereas in Fig-Trees the thick Branches serve both for the Figure, and for the Bearing of Fruit; so that particularly, as to the Fig-Trees in Cases, whereof the Chief Beauty consists in remaining low; it seems almost impossible to have them at once well form'd, to be of an agreeable Figure, and yet full of Fruit, which, notwithstanding, is the main Point here; for as the Fig-Trees in Cases naturally produce but little Wood, and that whatever Fig-Tree has but little Wood, can have but little Fruit. In short'ning the thick Branches in prospect of the Figure, we decline the Fruit. The only Medium to be observ'd in this, is always to shorten some of the thickest in every Tree, either old, or new, which will serve for the Beauty of the Figure; at the same time venturing to leave all the other long, to enjoy the Fruit that appears upon them: In case any Misfortune be befal'n the first Figs, and that towards the middle of April, or the beginning of May, any be desirous to shorten also some of those Branches that had been left long for Fruit, it may be done, and in so doing, the number of the second Figs will receive so much diminution; but then, to make amends, the number of the first for the next year will be augmented, by reason that the new Branches that shall shoot from those that shall have been Prun'd, will not come out soon enough to produce Autumn Figs, but yet time enough for the others.

In hot Soils, all the Figs come out before the end of March, and the Trees begin to make new Shoots before the end of April, and the first Fruit Ripens before the end of June, and in the beginning of July, and the second in the beginning of September: But in Cold Soils, like Versailles, the Figs do not come out till about the end of April, or even towards the middle of May; and the Shoots do not begin to appear neither, until towards the

middle of May; and the Shoots do not begin to appear neither, until towards the middle of May; and consequently, the first Fruits do not ripen there, until the middle or end of July; and the second, towards the latter end of September.

From every Eye, or Bud, which, in Fig-Trees, remain, in the Spring, upon the thick Branches of the preceding Year, we may certainly expect a Fig, and sometimes two; but we must never have above one which may come to good, if the Season be favourable: And, moreover, every Eye may produce a Branch, which does not always happen, it depending from the thickness of the Mother-Branch, and the short Pruning that has been perform'd upon it. Besides, every good Branch commonly produces to the number of six or seven Figs; that is to say, that it may be grown longer, by six or seven Eyes, or Buds; either from the Month of March, to the middle of June; or from the middle of June, to the end of Autumn; it seldom produces any more. Besides, Figs never grow twice upon the same Eye, or Bud; that which has produc'd any in Autumn, whether they ripen, or no, producing no others the next Season.

More Preparations must be us'd to make the first Figs grow, than the second; there being constantly but too many of these, because that sound Fig-Trees commonly shoot ma∣ny fine Sprigs, and that every Leaf form'd before Midsummer, generally owes a Fig, ei∣ther for the Autumn of that very Year, which is most common; or for the Summer of the following Year, when the Fig has not appear'd in Autumn. This being so, it hap∣pens almost always, that abundance of those Figs for Autumn do appear, which grow in vain, by reason that they seldom ripen; the cold Rains, that are frequent and common in Autumn, and the white Frosts of the Season, killing them almost all, either in making them burst, and open, and so fall, or drop; or else, hindring them from growing to Maturity: And, as for these, it is not to be expected, that, notwithstanding they have been preserv'd Green in the Winter, and well fix'd to the Tree, the Renewing of the Sap in the Spring should bring them to any Perfection; it being most certain, that they will drop, without coming to any thing.

But as for those Figs we call Figs of the first Sap, or Midsummer-Figs, as they only grow in proportion to the Shoots and Leaves, shot from Midsummer, till towards Au∣tumn; and that often Fig-Trees, particularly in Cases, produce but few Branches, and regularly short, having but little Vigour in the Summer, and yet being oblig'd to nou∣rish their Fruit, it follows consequently, that they produce but a small quantity of Fruit for the Spring, the weak Branches neither being capable to bear any at that time, nor when they do bear them, of preserving them against the Cold of the Season; wherefore it is fit to have very particular Regards, in order to make Fig-Trees, and particularly those that are in Cases, produce fine Shoots after Midsummer, which depends upon the Vigour of the Foot; and more particularly on the Assistance we ought to afford it, when in that Condition.

When some Branches are preserv'd, being somewhat weak, they must be kept very short, to the end that the Remainder may be the better nourish'd, and that the Figs, if any can grow upon them, may grow the finer; but still, upon condition that if any other weak Branches should shoot from those, they shall all be taken away, and none preserv'd, unless perhaps the lowest, which thereby may grow to a reasonable thickness.

The same Care that is taken of Fig-Trees in Cases, just after the Winter, placing them in good Situations, ought likewise to be taken to place them also in proper Situations at the Coming in of Autumn, to the end that, in order to the Maturity of the Figs of that Season, they may receive the Benefit of the little Heat the Sun affords us at that time. But then, none of the Roots must be allow'd to get out of the Cases, by reason that there being a necessity of pulling them out, in transporting of the Cases, both the Tree and Fruit would suffer considerably by it, which must needs create a Subject of Trouble.

But then, the only Remedy, when the bottom of the Cases has touch'd the Ground in the Summer time, the Roots of the Fig-Tree having extreamly multiply'd there, and the Trees being really the better for it, so as not to stand in need of such frequent Waterings, though, at the same time, it rots the Cases the sooner; the bottom of the Cases having thus touch'd the Ground, it will be necessary, before they are put in the Conservatory, to cut all those Roots well; or, at least, it must be done at the Taking them out again, be∣fore they are carry'd to the place where they are to remain all the Summer; for what∣ever part of them has been expos'd to the Air, absolutely spoils: But, after having taken off what is spoil'd, those very Cases, being again put upon the Ground, the Roots will multiply again, more than the Year before. And it is not amiss to sacrifice thus some Cases, especially such as begin to be old, and of which the Fig-Trees have been long Cas'd.

Moreover, Whereas the first Figs may always ripen, whatever Situation they be in, the Heats of the Summer being sufficient for that, it induces me to place Fig-Trees willingly into the West Part, and pretty often likewise to the North; by which means I have Figs much longer, those that are plac'd in those indifferent Situations ripening after the others; so that they almost supply the Interval, between the First, and the Second: In which I ad∣vise others to imitate me; but yet, upon condition, not to expect Autumn-Figs from such Situations, unless the Season proves extraordinary fine and dry. And when Fig-Trees have been plac'd in such Expositions, or Situations, great Care must be taken to cover them yet better in the Winter, than those that were plac'd in the other Si∣tuations.

Particular Precautions must be had for Fig-Trees Planted in the Ground; especal∣ly, not to place them under the Spouts of great Coverings, which might threaten them with too much Water, and particularly, with a great deal of mizling Frost, as well in the Winter, as in the Spring: And in case there be no other place proper to Plant them in, those Spouts must be turn'd some other way, by means of some Wooden or Leaden Gutter.

As to the Method of Pruning Dwarf-Standard Fig-Trees, there is nothing to be added to what we have already said of those that are Planted against Walls, or in Cases. The Dwarf-Standards will not produce Figs, altogether so soon as those Fig-Trees that are well Expos'd, and even later than those that are in Cases: which being heated by the Sun, on all sides of the Case, ripen, as we have already said, a little sooner than the Dwarf-Standards, and even sooner than the Espaliers. Those Dwarfs will likewise be a little troublesom for the Coverings of the Winter, and therefore it is dangerous to have any of those, unless it be in very little, private places, and those shelter'd from great Frosts: they will likewise be apt to cause a Confusion, if, being in a good Soil, Endeavours be us'd to keep them low, and to hinder them at the same time, from producing great Shoots: For which reason, it will be necessary to Pinch them carefully, and to have always some thick Branches, Prun'd low; and finally, to clear and free them often, as well from so many old worn out Branches, as from all new Suckers.

To that End, such Dwarf-Standards must always be kept at a very considerable distance from each other, in order to lay a great many Branches yearly into the Ground, thereby to ease the whole Body of the Tree, suffering it to grow in breadth as much as it pleases. As to their Coverings, Care must be taken, at the End of Autumn, first to assemble and close their Branches together with Oziers, and Poles, fix'd into the Ground, that they may form a kind of Bowl, or Pyramid; closing it afterwards with long, dry Dung, as we have done to Fig-Trees in Espaliers; but yet they must not be uncover'd quite, altogether so soon as the others that are shelter'd by a Wall; and the Coverings must, by all means, be renew'd, during the Spring.

After having explain'd my Method, as well as possible I can, as well for the Pruning of all kinds of young Trees, during the four or five first Years of their being Planted, as for the Trimming for the Buds, and useless Sprigs, and Pinching of such as may stand in need of it, having also explain'd my Method, as to the Culture of Fig-Trees, planted either in the open Ground, or Cases; I now proceed, according to my Promise, to explain, with the same Exactness, my Opinion, as to the Pruning of old Trees.

CHAP. XXXVII.

Of the Manner of Pruning pretty old Trees.

SInce Pruning may be look'd upon as a kind of Remedy for Fruit-Trees, and that really we have made use of the Rules and Principles thereof, in order to render the young Trees in our Gardens more agreeable as to their Figure, as well as more Fertile in fine and good Fruit, than they would have been without being Prun'd; being now to treat about a proper Remedy for Old Fruit-Trees, I am of Opinion, that, to make my self the bet∣ter understood, I must first of all suppose two things; the one in relation to their Vi∣gour, or Weakness: And I am likewise of Opinion, that it will be proper for me to ex∣plain this last Part, before I meddle with the first, this being altogether grounded upon the other; and those vigorous Trees requiring absolutely to be treated in a different man∣ner from those that are not so.

As to what relates to the Vigour or Weakness of Trees, we are to say, that those Trees are either very vigorous, producing abundance of thick Shoots, or very weak, hardly pro∣ducing any, or at most but very small ones; or in fine, neither incline too much to an excess of Vigour, or of Weakness, so as to be in the Case we may wish to have them: These are absolutely the three different Cases Trees can be in.

When they are very Vigorous, and as it were Furious, whether the Beauty of their Fi∣gure be already form'd, or not, we must still propose to our selves, that whenever we go about to Prune them, it will be proper above all things, to leave a great Burthen upon them, that is, to leave a great many out-lets upon them, not only for Fruit-Branches, but also for Branches for Wood; which is perform'd two ways; of which the first is to allow thick Branches preserv'd for the establishing or preserving of a Beautiful Figure, somewhat of an extraordinary length: The second is, not wholly to take away hardly any of their thick new Branches, especially such as shoot outward; but after having chosen in each part of the Tree, among the thick ones, that which appears the best plac'd to Contribute to the Beauty of the Figure, and that with an intention to shorten it moderately, according to its Situation, which I explain elsewhere; after that, I say, the adjacent Branches to that must be cut very short, that is, if they shoot outwards they must be Cut slantingly, within one or two Eyes of the place whence they proceed; if altogether inward, within the thickness of a Crown Piece.

When I speak of allowing somewhat of an extraordinary length in Praning to a Branch for Wood, I mean a Foot and a half, or two Foot at most, and yet I seldom Practice this my self; but whenever I do, 'tis always with an intention of reducing that extraordinary length to a more moderate one, as soon as the Tree bears Fruit.

In order to understand what is meant by shortning a Thick Branch moderately, it will be proper to remember, that whereas from the Extremity of a thick Branch being Prun'd, several other new ones will proceed, Care must be taken to leave room, that is, an empty Place, where these New Branches may easily lodge themselves, without causing any Confusion among one another, or with those that are there already, or such as are to come; which is the Point upon which I would have People regulate themselves as to the moderate length which is to be allow'd to such thick Branches that are to be Prun'd; but yet, in Regularity, a Vigorous Tree must seldom be allow'd thick Branches, unless they be at least seven or eight Inches in length, and sometimes in Case of necessity they may be allow'd to the number of Eleven or Twelve, always remembring, that the said Branches must be cut shorter, whenever the Tree shall satisfie us with Fruit; so that it depends on the Gard'ners Prudence to allow more or less length to such a Branch that is to be shorten'd, and that as well in respect to the Vigour it appears to be of, as to the Place that is to be fill'd up in the Neighbourhood thereof.

When Old Trees are very Weak, commonly the best Expedlent is to take them away, and put young ones in their room, after having us'd all the Precaution necessary in such Cases; but if, on the Contrary, People will preserve them, they must resolve to disburthen or clear them extreamly, either in giving them the Figure which is proper to them, which perhaps they want, or in order to preserve it, if already acquir'd; to which end, they must resolve to leave very few Branches for Wood upon them, and to Prune them all short, that is, five or six Inches in length at most, even resolving to leave but very few weak ones, and consequently no useless ones, especially such as seem to be wasted with Air, without having born any Fruit, or such as are wasted by having produc'd much; for as we have already observ'd in sundry Places, Branches perish in Bearing, and even some Perish sometimes after having born: Therefore those Branches must be considerably shorten'd, or even taken away quite, when they appear altogether wasted, and consequently useless.

But when Trees are moderate, so as neither to fall into the excess of Vigour, or Weak∣ness, but on the contrary, bear a reasonable quantity of Fruit, and at the same time pro∣duce Wood in some measure, according to our desires, both for us, and for themselves; in such a Case, those Trees being pretty well shap'd, it will be fit, in relation to them, to follow as well the Rules heretofore prescrib'd for young Trees, as those we are going to prescribe; and if those Trees are ill Condition'd, or ill Shap'd, endeavours must be us'd to or∣der them better, which we will visibly discover, after having first Explain'd what concerns the Figure, which is proper for all manner of Old Trees.

Upon this Case, we must moreover suppose, that those kind of Trees are either already * 1.9 defective, and in disorder, or perhaps are upon the point of becoming so: This is the first Reflection to be carefully made at first sight of a Tree that is to be Prun'd, whatever it may be, Wall-Tree, or Dwarf, in order to resolve with more ease upon what is to be done in relation to the Figure.

If the Defects are already happen'd, that is, if the Tree, instead of having an agreeable * 1.10 Figure, according to the Idea I have heretofore Explain'd, it has an ill disagreeable one, either in the whole, or in Part.

For Example, if it be a Dwarf, instead of being low in the Stem, A. which is the Perfection of it, of being open in the middle B. which is the second, of being round in the Circumference C. which is the third; and in fine, instead of being equally furnish'd with many good Branches round about its roundness D. which is the Fourth; it should on the contrary, be too high in the Stem E. which is the first Defect of it; full and Confuse in the middle F. which is the second; having one side high, G. and the other low, G. or * 1.11 one side flat, H. or weak, H. while the other is pretty round, and very full, which are the third and fourth Defects.

If it be a Wall-Tree, whether high in the Stem, or low, and short, for as to the Branches, the same Rules serve for both; I say if it be a Wall-Tree, which instead of be∣ing furnish'd to the Right, and Left, as it ought to be with good Branches, from the Place where it begins, to the Place where it ends; and that in such a manner, as to be equally garnish'd on both sides, without the least Confusion in the World; insomuch that every Branch might easily be distinguish'd, and reckon'd (in which the Great Perfection, and Beautiful Figure of a Wall-Tree consists) should on the contrary, be quite unprovi∣ded in the middle, shooting altogether upwards, so as to reach the top of the Wall in two or three years time, which it ought not to do in less than Eight or Ten; and perhaps, altogether Confuse besides, and intangled on the one side, while the other appears thin, and unfurnish'd, which are the grand defects of Wall-Trees.

Let us now run over all those Defects one after another, beginning by the Dwarfs, in order to speak our Opinion precisely, as to the means of Correcting of them, if it be possible.

CHAP. XXXVIII.

Of the Defects of Pruning, in Relation to Old Dwarfs.

AS to the first Case, which supposes a Dwarf to be too high in the Stem, I think it need not trouble us much, if the Tree has been Planted long, because it cannot be remedy'd without falling into considerable Inconveniencies, which should be wholly to destroy the head of the Dwarf, and consequently set it back for the space of three or four years from bearing Fruit: The Remedy would be violent, and therefore I do not think it fit to meddle with the Stem of such a Dwarf, tho' too high, and in that respect de∣fective: In that Case, I am only for Correcting the Defects of the Head.

But when the Tree has not been Planted many years, to wit, two or three years, espe∣cially the Head being ill begun, and not according to the Rules of Art, my Opinion is to shorten it quite, to reduce it to the Rule, which prescribes it to have a low Stem, as it is declar'd in the Treatise of Plantations; which I had rather do, than expose my self to leave it always with such a Defect, which must offend the sight perpetually: A Tree well Rooted again, and afterwards shorten'd, soon recovers it self, so as to afford a great deal of pleasure, and upon that account we are not only Comforted, but even very much sa∣tisfy'd with having shorten'd it in that manner.

As to the second Defect of a Dwarf, which is its being confus'd in the middle; when I meet with a Tree thus confus'd in the Figure, and consequently not very proper to bear Fruit, I commonly look upon it as I would do upon a Great Lord, who really has a great Estate, and yet is not easie, by reason of the great Incumbrances that lye upon it: The Selling of some part of his Estate, or of a Place, might be capable to clear his Debts; whereas on the contrary, when I see a Tree well shap'd, and well dispos'd, I fancy I see another Man, who by the wise Management of a Moderate Estate, wants for nothing, and lives at ease and quiet.

Therefore I am for Correcting that second Defect intirely, as well to afford the Tree the Beauty it ought to have, as to facilitate the means of making it bear Fruit, and that so much the rather, because the Remedy is easie, and the Success speedy, certain, and without the least danger.

'Tis only removing altogether a thick Branch from the middle, or perhaps two or three that cause that fullness; that is, this Confusion; and remove them so, that the Sap which had form'd them, nourish'd them, and made them grow, may no longer find any

[illustration]

[illustration]

passage to rise up to the same place, there to perform the Functions it was us'd to do; but Care must be taken that this very Sap in its common way, or road, close to the first Pas∣sage which is stopp'd, may find another as good, and as easie, so that it may be capable of using it, and thereby fully to enter into some thick adjacent Branches, just beneath those that have been retrench'd, as it appears by the Figure.

And so there will be no fear of the growing of any false Wood, or Suckers there, nor of any new Confusion, which would certainly happen, if, in the first place, those thick Branches had been cut from the top, over some weak small Branches, and consequently incapable of re∣ceiving in their small Mouth all the Sap which us'd to enter into those that have been retrench'd.

Or, if in the second place, part of the said thick Branches of the middle had been left, whereas they ought to have been wholly taken away, or else would make a kind of Stump there.

For the Sap returning still from the Foot with its usual abundance, and returning through the same Channel it was us'd to, either to the Stem, or some thick Branch, and finding no Overture large enough to receive it; or perhaps finding none at all, this Sap, I say, bursts of necessity round about that small Branch, over which the thick one was cut off, or else round about that Stump, or those Stumps which were left, and in bursting, makes a great many new Branches in that middle, and consequently forms there the same defect we en∣deavour'd to Correct.

I have shown heretofore, that on such Occasions, there are sometimes some Master∣stroaks to be perform'd, to leave for a certain time a thick Branch over another thick Branch, which must be taken away; to the end that, as in the Case of Fountains, which are someties vented, lest the Winds might hinder the Water from performing its Functi∣on as well as it ought to do, a considerable part of Sap may be wasted into those kind of thick useless Branches, which otherwise would ruine some dispositions for Fruit, ready form'd, or others which might form themselves: But after the Tree seems to perform its duty in relation to Fruit, we may without any scruple wholly take away such thick Branch∣es, that are of no use for the Figure, and have only been left two or three years to waste, as we have said, an abundance of Sap which would have been troublesom to us: Besides, the Overture of the Tree being made by means of some thick Branches that has been taken out of the middle: It will be fit next to examine the remaining Branches, whether good, that is, grown according to the most common Order of Nature, or bad, being grown contrary to the said Order; and consequently Branches of false Wood, in order to preserve as many as can be of the first, which may be useful for Wood, or Fruit, at the same time, assigning to each the length that may be proper for it, thereby to ruine the Ill ones, all, if the Beauty of the Figure requires it, conformably to the Idea we shall have form'd of it, or only part, which may happen when some thick one chances to be suffi∣ciently well plac'd to contribute to that Figure, which without it would prove imperfect.

As for the third defect, which relates to the roundness, it is not so easily remedy'd, as the foregoing; it proceeds from that, when the Dwarf was first form'd, Care was not ta∣ken to order the Matter so, that the Head of the Tree might at least be compos'd of two Branches, partly of an equal strength, or thickness, the one on one side, the other on the other, to keep the Vigour of it in some measure divided, or as it were in an Equilibrium, (when there happen to be three or four, the thing is yet easier.)

But yet, two may be sufficient to that end, by reason that, as we have said, each of them being afterwards Prun'd, as it ought to be, will shoot others on the Extremity of it upon the sides, which others being likewise Prun'd, will in their turn likewise shoot others.

And thus, from year to year, ad infinitum, still performing a new Pruning, good new Branches will still form themselves, which will contribute to form, and afterwards preserve in our Trees that agreeable roundness, and that abundance of fine Fruit we desire.

This defect in the roundness, probably proceeds then from that the Tree when it was first Planted, having at the beginning only produc'd one thick Branch on one side, with a weak one on the opposite side, as it appears by the Figure; the Gard'ner instead of looking at first on that thick Branch as the only one, capable of forming a sine Head, ac∣cording to the Method I have prescrib'd for the Conduct of those kind of Trees, when they are newly Planted; instead of that, I say, has indifferently cut both this thick one, and at the same time, this other small one, leaving them perhaps each of an equal length, without any Prospect as to the Figure, which I hold necessary, and thus the strength of the Sap still continuing its first road, which inclines it only to the thick Branch, still produces many new fine ones on that side; and, whereas there enters but a very inconsiderable quantity of Sap in the small Neighbouring Branch, tho' it grew at the same time with the thick one, so it produces but a very small number of small new Branches, which perish soon

after; that is, perhaps, after having born a little Fruit: Thus one side grows still in Vi∣gour, being extreamly well furnish'd, while the other remains weak, languishing, and thin; and consequently the Tree being only well on one side, makes a very ugly Figure, half flat, and half round, not in the least answering the Figure that is requir'd in a Tree to be perfect, either in it self, or for the pleasure of sight.

From thence it is easie to judge that this defect in point of roundness is great, and even * 1.12 difficult to Correct, at least to be Corrected in few years; however, provided the Gard∣ner takes Care in Pruning, as he easily may, to order it so, that yearly the thick Branch he Prunes may produce some other likewise thick, shooting towards the side that wants filling, furnishing, and being made round; he may in time, in some measure attain to that round Figure.

Now, in order to understand how this may be perform'd with a little Cate and Forecast, it is fit to remember, that, as we have already said, every Branch being Prun'd, must of necessity shoot some new ones on the Extremity of it, and that more or less, according to its thickness, and strength, and the length that has been allow'd to it: A thick, strong, and short one producing commonly a greater quantity, and those finer than either the thick and strong one that has been left long, or the weak one, whatever way it was Prun'd.

So that it is most true, that it is possible to Prune in such a manner, from year to year, that among the thick new Branches (that are to come, and are to grow out of those Eyes, or Buds that are on the Extremity of the Old one that has been Prun'd) there may always be some Principal one, shooting toward the defective side, which consequently must be carefully preserv'd, and Prun'd also with the same regards, and thus this defect diminishing by degrees, the Perfection of roundness, which is wanting in the Figure, will be insensibly Introduc'd.

In Correcting the third Defect of this Dwarf, the fourth is Corrected at the same time, which consists in not being equally furnish'd round about its Circumference; so that this Dwarf in losing the Defect it had in wanting of roundness, at the same time acquires the fourth Perfection it ought to have, that is, it becomes as full on one side, as it was on the other.

CHAP. XXXIX.

The Defects of Pruning, in Relation to Old Wall-Trees.

WE must impute the Defects of Wall-Trees to the same Canse, which is a failure in the first years against the same Principles of Pruning, which had been transgress'd in the forming of Dwarfs, and has now been Corrected by us: That which hinder'd the roundness of those, is absolutely the same thing with that which has hinder'd the Esta∣blishing of that equality of strength, without which the sides of a Wall-Tree cannot be equally furnish'd.

That is, the Wall-Tree must have produc'd the first year, some Branches equally strong, opposite one to another; or if it has shot but one strong one, the whole Beauty of the Tree must be founded alone upon that, without trusting to the weak ones that are grown at the same time for any thing, but Fruit, and then their Death.

This single thick one, being at the Spring Prun'd somewhat short, that is, within five or six Inches, seldom fails, as we have said, of Producing that very year at least two thick ones, with some small ones; which two thick ones will be partly of an equal strength, and oppos'd to each other.

Now each of them having a side to fill, will perform it well, provided the Gard'ner still remains Master of the Extremity of them, so as not to let either slip up, as we have fully explain'd in the Conduct of our young Wall-Trees; and consequently this Wall-Fruit-Tree is commonly only defective by the Negligence, or rather want of Skill of the Gard'ner, who being intrusted with the Conduct thereof, has not had all the Regards we have explain'd in this Treatise for the Pruning of thick Branches: And therefore, whereas he may have been deficient for many years together in those Wall-Trees, against the good Principles of Pruning; it follows, that to repair the Defects of them, there are as many In∣conveniencies to be fear'd, as we have demonstrated, in order to the repairing of those of a Dwarf, being shot too high.

When the Trees are not too Old, I am for short'ning the thick Branches that are, for Ex∣ample, shot up within two or three years, as well in the Case of Kernel, as of Stone-Fruit; those thick Branches being short'ned, will produce new ones on their Extremities, which will begin a-new to form the agreeable Figure Wall-Trees ought to have; and toge∣ther with that Figure, will not only bear abundance of Fruit, but will bear long, which those kind of Wall-Trees shot up too high cannot perform, the common heighth of the Walls not allowing it: And as for those Trees that are Older, perhaps some thick Bran∣ches may be short'ned, which Expedient is pretty secure in all sort of Fruit-Trees, excepting Peach-Trees being Graff'd; for it is certain, that Peach-Trees growing from a Stone, live much longer than others, but then they do not bear Fruit so soon; but in recompence, being Cut again, they still shoot Vigorously, which the others that have been Graff'd do not do, being Old, Infirm, and Weak, at the end of Ten or Twelve years: This is the reason why they can hardly shoot any new Branches through the hard dry Bark of an old Branch that shall have been shorten'd upon them.

Therefore, in my Opinion, the best way is to leave those Old Peach-Trees in the Con∣dition they are, without Performing the Grand Remedy upon them, which is to shorten them; only Pruning them as if they were well-Condition'd, in order to get Fruit from them, as long as they are capable of affording such as is Good, and Fair, with a Resolve to destroy them as soon as they cease to bear such. In the mean time, I think it very pro∣per to remove the Earth from the sides, which I believe may be wasted; at the same time taking away the greatest part of the Old Roots that may be found in moving of the Earth, putting afterwards good new Mould in the room of it, then Plant new Trees there, that may be young, and fine, and of the Choicest Fruits.

As for the other kind of Trees that have been Stock'd up, or Shorten'd, either Pear, Fig, Abricot, or Plumb-Trees, their new Branches must be order'd according to the Rules heretofore Establish'd in the management of young Wall-Trees, which without doubt will succeed well.

The first Defect of a Wall-Tree being Corrected, which, as we have said, consists in not being so well garnish'd with good Branches on the sides, as to have an equality without the least appearance of Confusion; The Second, which consists in having thick Branches shot up too high, being but a Sequel of the first, or rather the same thing, will conse∣quently be Corrected by the same means.

The thick Branches which a Negligent or Unskillful Gard'ner has suffer'd to grow too long, have occasion'd all this disorder, for want of Considering, that whereas the New Branches commonly grow only on the Extremity of those that have been Prun'd, and ne∣ver on the lower part; it follows of Course, that the lower part of such as have been left too long of a Foot and an half, and more, must needs from a great Vacuity, or Thin∣ness, and consequently such a Tree having been thus ill order'd, can never acquire the Beauty a Wall-Tree ought to have, to be effectually in a good Case.

As for the next Defect, which consists in having one part Confuse, that is, too full, while the other wants fullness; it commonly proceeds, either from Old, Small, Wither'd, Useless Branches, left by the Ignorant, or Negligent Gard'ners, or else from having suf∣fer'd and Cut two, three, or four thick Branches close by one another, of an equal length, contrary to a good Maxim which forbids it; it being certain, that since every Branch that is Prun'd, produces new ones, and often many; it being certain, I say, that if many Cut Branches be left near one another, several New ones will of Course shoot from them, which not finding empty places enough to fill up, will cause a Confusion where they are, while another part of the Tree, to which that Sap might have been di∣rected, which occasions a great Defect here, becomes wretched, and forsaken, and as it were starves.

The Rule which forbids this multiplicity of Thick Neighbouring Branches of an equal length, wills one only to be left in every Part, and that of a moderate length; to the end that the New ones it will produce, may severally Garnish some Places, which cer∣tainly without this Forecast, might prove empty, and thin: And in Case it be thought fit in one place, to leave two or three in proportion, as it proves more or less Vigorous, or Thin in that place, they must all differ exceedingly in length, and look on different sides, which may require being Garnish'd; to the end that the new ones that are to grow, may cause a good Effect, instead of being cumbersom, so as to force one to take them away as soon as they are grown.

I have now declar'd in General what I think proper to Remedy by Pruning, the Grand Defects that are happen'd, and still happen daily in Old Trees, either Dwarfs, or Wall-Trees.

There now remains to tell, what I think proper to Remedy the Inconveniences that are like to befall Old Trees.

Perhaps it may be sufficiently known by the Remarks I have just made, without any necessity of saying more precisely, that it is necessary betimes to establish the equality of Vigour, which being once so establish'd, must be preserv'd; and above all things, it is fit to be diffident of thick Branches, which never fail of Usurping a Mastery wherever they begin to form themselves.

The Truth is, that these are the only ones that spoil all, by the ill use that is made * 1.13 of them; they cause all the Defects we have now Observ'd, and Combated, whereas they are the only ones, which, being made a good use of, according to the Rules we have heretofore Explain'd, must not only Contribute to the Beauty of the Figure of Trees, and to make them lasting, but likewise to the abundance of the good and fine Fruit they are to produce. And therefore the first thing to be done, is to Examine at first, whether the Tree be Conformable to the Idea of Beauty it ought to have, and must be very well un∣derstood; or if not, in the first Case, 'tis but following what is Establish'd for young Trees; but particularly, when they seem to swerve from a fine Figure, Care must be ta∣ken to oppose it with Vigour, and Exactness: So that if one side seems to weaken, En∣deavours must be us'd to strengthen it again, by retrenching some thick Branches that are superiour to it; that is, when the Condition of the Tree can permit it: For as one side never weakens considerably, without the others strengthning at the same time, as soon as it is observ'd that the other side seems to strengthen in an extraordinary manner; inso∣much, that some Branch shall have thicken'd Considerably, and have produc'd a great number of others, that thick one must immediately be Cut off, over one looking on the weaker side, thereby going to the Exteriour Source of that Defect, and stopping it, even in the Original; and so Consequently, whether one Branch only, or more, shoot out too much, the current of the Sap is turn'd aside; and whereas that Sap must of necessity have a Course, if it be stop'd on one side, it will incline to another, and by thus dividing it, we contribute to the equality of Vigour, without which, a Tree can never have the Beau∣tiful Figure that is proper to it, and which we ought to Endeavour to procure.

This is for the present all I have to say in Relation to the Pruning of Trees, either Dwarfs, or Wall-Trees: Let us now proceed to the Vine, which is not near so long, or difficult to Explain.

CHAP. XL.

Of the Pruning of Vines.

OF all the things the Art of Husbandry subjects to Pruning, and are commonly Prun'd once a year; nothing to me seems to require it so much as Vines, and nothing more easily Perform'd: Both which Propositions I am perswaded of, and will prove hereafter. In the mean time, I may say by the by, that Earth hardly nourishes any thing that is sub∣ject to more Accidents, or is oftner afflicted, than a Vine; but then, on the other side, I may likewise affirm, that nothing on Earth would be happier in its Productions, if the wishes of Men could Preserve it from all manner of Misfortunes. It will not be proper to make the Apology of it here, it not being the design of this Treatise; it is daily sufficient∣ly prais'd by others: And tho' I were so minded, I could hardly say any thing in favour of it, that were not tiresom.

The Proof of my first Proposition is grounded upon this, That constantly a Vine want∣ing to be Prun'd, Perishes soon after; not in relation to the Foot, which works as it us'd to do, without regard to what relates to the Head, but in relation to the Fruit; since it neither produces any so good, so fine, or so well fed, as that which is regularly Prun'd, by reason that (Lively and Sprightly as it is, perhaps beyond any Plant we are acquainted with) when it is well, it commonly shoots Wood furiously, even several Branches in one Summer, and those thick enough, each five or six Fathom long, every one of those shoot∣ing at the same time a vast number of bad small Branches all along the thick ones, which is a thing sufficiently known by every body.

Now these small Branches in relation to Vines, no more than the too great quantity of large, thick, long ones in relation to Pear-Trees, have no-wise the Gift of Fertility: On the contrary, they remain useless, and so consume to no purpose, a considerable quantity

of Sap, which might be imploy'd to produce Fruit; therefore it is fit to avoid that great quantity of useless Branches upon Vines, which can be done no otherwise than by Pruning, and consequently it is absolutely necessary to Prune a Vine; insomuch, that it is less per∣nicious for a Vine to be ill Prun'd, than not Prun'd at all: For at least this Pruning, tho' ill perform'd, occasions a great benefit, in hindring the Sap from wasting, or being dissi∣pated, as it would be in the long Branches that we retrench in Pruning, it producing at the same time other Branches from the Foot, which will prove more useful: From whence it follows, that in our Husbandry nothing requires so much being Prun'd as a Vine; and indeed, as we have already observ'd, we stand indebted to the Vine for the first beginnings of Pruning, which is now practis'd so usefully by Gard'ners, and Vine-Dressers.

The Reason which made me affirm, that nothing appears so easie to be Prun'd as a Vine, (and this is my second Proposition) is, that in my Opinion nothing punishes the Defects that are committed in Pruning less than a Vine does. We have daily a thousand Examples of it in common Vineyards, where we seldom meet a Vine-Dresser Skillful e∣nough to understand the true method of Pruning a Vine, and consequently of giving a good Reason for what he does; and yet those very Vine-Dressers seldom fail of having yearly a pretty good Vintage, provided the Seasons do not hinder it.

Thus we see that Vines, tho' ill Prun'd, provided the Foot be in a good Con∣dition, do not fail of producing abundance of fine Wood, and consequently a great deal of Fruit; therefore I had reason to say, that nothing is more easie to Prune than a Vine: For indeed, whereas the Roots of it are extreamly Active, they produce abundance of Sap, which of Course makes a great many large new Branches, especially upon those that have been Prun'd the year before. Every one of those new Branches commonly shoots Fruit on the fifth and sixth Eye or Bud, and even pretty often on the seventh; and that which is singular in a Vine, is, that it produces its Fruit at the same time with the Branches; for the Fruit does not grow afterwards here, as it does on the Branches of other Fruit-bear∣ing Plants: And indeed, no Fruit must be expected on a Vine, unless it comes out at the same moment with the Branches, which is a truth known by every body.

Commonly every good new Branch produces at least two fine Bunches of Grapes, which seldom fails; and this furnishes a pretty considerable quantity of Wine; but when every Branch, or at least the Major part produces Three, which happens sometimes, then we have a full Vintage; supposing always, that neither Hail, Frost, or bad Rains, especially those, which falling at the time of the Blossom, make the Grapes run; I say, supposing those Enemies to Vines have spoil'd nothing in its Productions.

I need not mention in this Treatise of the Pruning of Vines, the manner of Planting, or Multiplying it; for besides that, it is not a proper place for it, nothing can be more generally known, than those two Articles are: So that I shall only insist upon the Pruning part, which I look upon to be very necessary, by reason of four or five sorts of Grapes, that are commonly introduc'd in our Gardens, and are indeed the Chief Adornments of them, I mean Muscadins, which are the most Considerable; the others are Chasse∣las, Precoses, or early Grapes, Currans, even Bourdelais not being excluded; not indeed for the same Reasons proper to the others, but for the Reasons explain'd in that part, which Treats of the good use that is to be made of the Walls of every Garden; and shews that Bourdelais are useful both for Leaves, and Verjuice.

I shall begin this small Treatise of the Pruning of Vines, by saying, that among the good Grapes, which Compose part of our Gard'ning, and the common Grapes that grow in Vineyards, there is particularly this great difference; that in our Gardens we neither require abundance of Bunches, or abundance of Grapes upon those Bunches; we desire thin Bunches, with few Grapes upon them, provided they be large, firm, and crackling; to the end that the Season for Maturity being favourable, we may have the pleasure we had propos'd to our selves; which never happens when the Grapes are too close; whereas in Vineyards they have different Prospects, and with reason, desiring nothing so much, as the abundance of Bunches, and quantity of Grapes upon each of them.

I say, moreover, that a good and well amended Soil is not proper to produce good Grapes in our Gardens, especially for Muscadins; we rather want a Soil moderately fat, provided it be not too much worn, and be well situated; and lastly, provided the Plants are neither too old, nor too young; And, in case they be very Vigorous, not too close one to another, so as to cause a Confusion; all which Conditions are very necessary for the goodness of Muscadin, and without doubt to contribute considerably to it, nothing can be of more use, than a Skillful Pruning.

In Order to Perform it skillfully, we are to Examine two Principal Things; first, the Vigour of the whole Plant that is to be Prun'd; and secondly, the Thickness or Strength of every Branch upon which the Pruning is to be perform'd; for as to the time of Pru∣ning, nothing is to be added to what has been said of the time of the Pruning of Trees, since all the same Considerations are to be had in the Pruning of Vines, as have been had in the Pruning of Fruit-Trees.

As to the first Point in question, viz. the Vigour of the Plant (which is known by the thickness, and number of new Shoots) the Chief thing to be done, is always to leave a great burthen to those Plants, that are very Vigorous; I mean a great many Prun'd Branches, whether those Plants have as yet but one Arm, as when they are very young, or have many, as they may have after the fifth or sixth year of their being Plant∣ed: But yet, in either Case, that great Burthen must be so well mannag'd, that it may have no Confusion: And whereas very Vigorous Plants must be greatly burthen'd, so always in proportion, few Cut Branches must be left upon such as are but moderately strong, and yet less upon those that are very weak.

As to the second Point, which relates to the thickness of every Branch upon which the Pruning is to be Perform'd; always supposing the regards I advise for the best Plac'd, which I will explain in the Sequel. That being done, I am always for Pruning upon the thickest Branches, which indeed are the best; at least it must never be perform'd upon the Weak ones; so that if the Trimming of the Buds, and useles Branches, that is necessary to be done yearly in the Month of May, had not taken away abundance of small Shoots that commonly grow upon the Stock, or upon some Old Branch, they must be remov'd at the time of Pruning, weak Shoots not producing near so much as the thick ones.

The Branches to be Prun'd being chosen, which, as we have already declar'd, must always be the thickest, and best plac'd, we must now regulate the length that is proper to be allow'd to each of them: This Length ought commonly to be limited to four good Eyes, or Buds, (which are the four first to be reckon'd from the Place whence the Branch has taken its Birth) unless it be with a design to make the Plant of that Vine rise all on a suddain, or else in the space of two or three years, a great deal higher than it is, or else to make it garnish some distant place, in a short space of time; in which Case, it may be allow'd a great deal more length than we have now Regulated; but still on Condition, that when it shall once have reach'd that heighth, or propos'd distance, it must, if it prove well, always be kept to that, as it may be done with ease, by means of the Pru∣ning I Practise, only yearly performing that Pruning, within the compass of the moderate length above mention'd.

In the performing of this, as well as all other manners of Pruning of Vines, these two Precautions must be had; both of which are pretty Material: The First is, to Cut within a large Inch of the Eye or Bud that is to be the last, I mean on the Extremity of the Branch that is Prun'd, by reason that if it were cut closer, that Eye would be wounded by it, and would not produce so fine a shoot: And the second is, to order the Cut so, that the slope may always draw towards the side that is opposite to that last Eye, for fear the Water, or Bleedings which never fail dropping from that part that is Prun'd, when the Sap begins to rise, should fall upon that last Eye, because it might prove prejudicial to it.

From those four Eyes or Buds left upon the Pruning of a Vigorous Plant, especially a∣gainst a Wall, may always be expected four new Branches, one from each; each of which, as we have already said, will be furnish'd with two or three Bunches of Grapes; that is, every good Branch being Prun'd within the compass of four Eyes, provided, no ill accident befall either of them, which happens sometimes, may produce four good new Branches together, with eight, ten, or twelve Bunches of Grapes for Autumn; so that one Plant of Vine, upon which, at the Spring, shall have been left two good Branches Prun'd, may yield that very year twenty, or twenty four Bunches of Grapes; and ano∣ther having four good Branches, may yield to the number of forty, and so it might rise ad infinitum; always remembring to proportion the burthen in Pruning, to the Vigour of the Plant; likewise noting, that such an abundance can only suit with Vines Planted a∣gainst Walls.

I repeat again, that in Pruning, a great difference is to be made between a Branch shot from the Pruning of the preceeding year, and another; for indeed the first can only be look'd upon as a Branch of false Wood, and consequently, must be absolutely remov'd, unless there be no other upon the Stock, or that it may be of use, as it is pretty often, in order to shorten the Stock close to it, being necessitated so to do, both to keep within the bounds of the heighth we affect, and because Old Branches perish, in fine, at the end of a

certain time, and so consequently the old Wood being grown infirm, and useless, it must needs be remov'd, as soon as it is perceiveable.

Now, since for the Reasons abovesaid, it has been thought fit to preserve some Bran∣ches shot from the stock, for instance, one or two in one and the same place; in such a Case they must be shortned within the compass of two Eyes, in hopes of two fair good Branches, upon which we may lay the foundation of our hopes, for the re-establishing of such a Vine, whether it be the whole Plant, or only part of it, continuing during that year the common Pruning upon some higher Branch, in order to have Fruit that year, resolving to ruine it intirely, the Fruit being gather'd.

We have declar'd elsewhere, that Muscadin requires a pretty deal of heat, adding there∣unto, that it dreads the excess, as much as the Mediocrity, or want of it: Therefore, as in Moderate Climes, like France, Muscadin requires being plac'd to the South, or at least to the East, against Walls: So in very hot Countries, like Languedoc, and Provence, it dreads those kind of Scituations, by reason that the heat being too scorching, the Grapes wither, and burn, instead of ripening, and therefore only thrive there in the open air, where indeed they attain a miraculous Perfection, insomuch, that all the Industry of Man can never reach that Perfection, in Countries that lye somewhat to the North; for which Reason, we are oblig'd to confess, that tho' we need not envy other Climes for all other Fruits, viz. Peaches, Plums, Pears, Apples, and even Figs, and Melons, &c. yet in our Climes we can never approach the happiness of Meridional Countries for Muscadins.

It is to be observ'd particularly, that Muscadin never thrives well against a high Treillis, it is always close, small, and flabby; wherefore I am not for placing it against such, neither must it (especially in Espaliers) be kept so low that the Grapes may touch the ground, or for the water of Spouts to spurt gravel against it: For which reason, I af∣fect a heighth of three, four, or five foot at most, particularly for Muscadin, insomuch, that the Fruit on the Espalier may neither be much higher, nor much lower; this is what I meant heretofore, when I spoke of a Branch, which being thick, is fit for Pruning, provi∣ded it be well plac'd.

The same heighth is likewise very proper for Chassellas, Currans, and early Grapes, &c. but not so necessary: Grapes that do not grow against Walls, indeed may, and ought to be kept much lower, whatever they be, but still we must not swerve from the Maxim which forbids that Grapes that are to be eaten raw, should touch the ground.

The length for the Pruning of every Branch of Vine being regulated, it will now be proper to examine to the bottom the burthen that is fit to be left upon every Plant, which is the most difficult, and most material Point.

When the preceeding years Pruning has produc'd three, or four Branches, as it may do, and often happens; then supposing the Vine to be of the heighth above-mention'd, I be∣gin, by removing wholly all the weak ones, and as to the others, unless the Mother Branch, be very Vigorous, I never preserve above two of them, and chuse the thickest, because that, as we have already said, they are doubtless the best, always chusing, as much as can be, the lowest, provided they be thick, otherwise I keep to the highest; after that, I Prune them both, tho' not of an equal length, that is, allowing them each four Eyes, I only allow it the highest of the two, which I call the Pruning, and leave but two upon the lowest, which I call a Stump; resolving at the same time, to remove the highest quite the following year; together with all those that shall shoot from it, reducing my self wholly to the two that shall grow from that shortest Branch, provided the said Branch succeeds according to my hopes, and appearances; for if any accident should happen to it, so as not to produce two fine Branches, it shooting perhaps but one, I fix still to the finest, and lowest of the Pruning, either to keep two of them, in case the short Branch has fail'd quite; or at least, I preserve one for Pru∣ning, the short one having shot one, that may serve for a short one the following year: This is the Method I daily attempt, not to swerve from the heighth I affect, as good, and necessary.

I affirm, that by this Method, accompany'd with some Culture, and the common Custom of Couching Branches from time, to time, in order to get new Wood, when the old begins to appear wasted; as also with the help of a little Dung, or rather some re∣newing of Soil, when any diminution of Vigour is perceiv'd; I say, I affirm that such a Method will constantly preserve every Plant of Vine in a good Case, Vigorous, and without any Wounds, it will produce fine Grapes; and consequently, if the Season, and Clime contribute to afford it due Maturity, it will yield the Satisfaction that was expected from it.

But when the Plant of Vine, especially of Muscadine, is extraordinary Vigorous, as it happens pretty often, insomuch that the three, or four Branches it has shot from every

Branch that has been Prun'd prove very thick; I am for preserving of them all, Pruning both the one and the others of the Length heretofore specifi'd, as well the highest for Prun∣ing, as the lowest for a Stump; and in order to have room to place without Confusion all the Young ones that are to proceed from that, I pull up some Neighbouring Plant that might stand in my way: I likewise affect sometimes to choose for my Pruning the meanest of those Branchss, always forming my Stump upon the lowest of the thick ones, after which I cut the thickest that are near that mean one, that may be fit for Pruning within one Eye; in order that those kind of Stumps may wast part of the Fury of the Foot, and that the mean Branch I have chosen for the best may not be inconvenienc'd by it, and made to bear Close Fruit, as it would certainly do, if it receiv'd the Vigour of all of them; so that in such a Case, I do not Cut the highest over the lowest, as I use to do, when the Plant is but moderately Vigorous.

When our Muscadines are in Blossom, the thing in the World I am most desirous of, is, that which, excepting Frost and Hail, is most to be dreaded for Vines, and that is Rain, in order to make part of the Grapes weep away, without which they would be too close, as well as too small and flabby; therefore when Nature does not allow me that Rain according to my desire, I endeavour to supply it with Waterings, which for the most part succeeds well: I must confess that it is very Troublesome for such as have a great many Plants of Muscadine, but yet the Experiment may be try'd upon a smaller Number.

When the Year proves Extraordinary Drie at the season of Maturity, if my Soil be naturally very Drie, I Water the Foot of my Vine largely, especially when the Fruit be∣gins to turn; such a Watering, when necessary, and well perform'd in the Month of August, Contributes certainly to the largeness and firmness of the Grapes.

When the Fruit-Bearing Branch, I mean the new Branch of that Years growth, is not of a Monstrous thickness, as some of them prove sometimes, I Cut it in the Month of July, close to the Fruit, being careful at the same time, by means of some Neighbour∣ing Leaves, to shelter the Fruit from the great heat of the Sun, until it be at least half ripe; for when it draws near Maturity, and this is a general Rule, it is proper to keep it a little bare, in order to afford it that Yellow Colour, which becomes it so well: The Cutting I just mention'd, augments the Nourishment of the Fruit, and commonly con∣tributes to make it larger, and more crackling, but it is not always certain nor infallible, neither must it be done, when the Branches are very thick; for whereas in the Summer they shoot almost as many small new Branches, as they have Eyes or Buds, those Branches growing thick, would in course occasion a great Confusion, for even when the Branches are not shortned, they notwithstanding shoot, during the Summer, abundance of those Buds, which must be carefully pull'd off, as being very Useless.

Happy are those who are in such Situations, where Muscadine yearly ripens well, I cannot forbear envying their good Fortune a little. Happy likewise are those, who having Muscadine in an indifferent Climate, and pretty ill Ground, are favour'd with such a Summer as we had in the Year 1676, for it is most certain, that we have Reason to be contented with that Years Muscadine.

But it is not sufficient for our Vines to have abundance of fine Bunches, and those not over stock'd with Grapes, nor for the Season to be favourable to make them Ripen well, we have besides other considerable Enemies to dread for those Grapes, as well as for Fig-Trees, which are, besides some Frosts which make the Leaves fall, and long Cold Rains, which Rot the Grapes; Birds and Flies of several kinds; as to the first, the first, the best way to prevent their Mischief, is to hang Nets before those Grapes which will hinder the Birds from coming near it; but that remedy is not very easie, when there is abundance of Muscadine to be preserv'd: As to the Flies, we have the Remedy of Viols, that must be half filled with Water mix'd with a little Hony, or Sugar, which Expedient is suffi∣ciently known by every Body; those Viols must be hung up in divers Places about the Vines with some Pack-Thread, and those Infects seldom fail of getting into them, being attracted by the Sweetness of the Honey and Sugar, and there certainly perish, as soon as they are got in, not being able to find the way out again; at least abundance of them are destroy'd that way, tho' it is almost impossible to destroy them all: Care must be taken besides, to empty those Viols, when any Considerable number of those Flies are taken, otherwise no more of them would be taken, the Corruption and Stink they are Subject to, hinder the others from coming there: Then the said Viols must be fill'd up again, as before, and plac'd a-new in proper Places.

Paper bags, and Linnen Cloths, are likewise us'd to cover every Bunch, but besides that it is a kind of Slavery, if on the one side it serves to preserve the Grapes so inclos'd from the Birds and Flies, on the other side, it hinders the Sun from affording them that same Yellow Colour, which is so agreeable to sight, and Contributes to make them better, as well as

to show their perfect Maturity: For to imagine that it preserves the Grapes the longer ripe, is an Error I have experienc'd; The Reason is, that Fruit begins to Rot, as soon as it is throughly Ripe, and even sometimes before; and as soon as one Grape is tainted, it spoils the next, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 next another, and so ad infinitum, which is a very considerable In∣conveniency, not so easily discover'd when the Grapes are enclos'd, as when they are bare; as soon as a Grape looks tainted, it must be pick'd, to hinder it from infecting the rest.

I must not omit adding, that in such years as produce an infinite quantity of Bunches, as the year 1677. it will be fit to take away part of them in those places where they are too thick, as also too thin, those Bunches that appear too close, or too full, as well as to shorten on the lower Extremity such as seem too long, that Extremity never ripening so well, as the Top, which always ripens the best of any other part.

I should likewise add, that no Grapes must be gather'd, especially Muscadine, until it be perfectly ripe, since perfect Maturity is absolutely necessary to afford it that sweetness, and flavour, without which, nothing can be less agreeable than Muscadin: But this Ad∣vice shall be compos'd in one of the Chapters of the following Part; wherein I shall ex∣amine whatever relates to the maturity of every particular Fruit.

The End of the Fourth Part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Columella, Theophrastus, Xenophon.
• * 1.2

  Qui cum judicio putat Arborem, efficit, ut quod Arbor sponte vo∣luit facere, Ju∣st••iâ violentâ cogatur, ut id agat. Crescentius. Terrae impera∣mus, & soli nequaquam.
• * 1.3

  Omnis Arborum putatio quando∣cunque fieri po∣test à tempore casus foliorum. Crescentius.
• * 1.4

  Aspices cur∣vatos Pomorum pondere ramos. Ut sua quod peperit, vix fe∣rat Arboronus.
• * 1.5

  Fundusque mendax Arbore nunc aquas cul∣pante, nunc tor∣rente agros Si∣dera. Horatius
• * 1.6

  Nec sen'ire sitim patitur, bibulaeque recur∣vas radicis fi∣bras labentibus i•• rigat undit. Ovid.
• * 1.7

  Vim tamen a∣grestum metuens pomaria claudit, Intus & ac∣cessus prohibet. Idem. Juniperi gra∣vis umbra, no∣cent & frugibus umbrae. Virgil. 10 Ecl. Hortus nullas amat umbras praeter umbrar•• domini. Cresentius.
• * 1.8

  Vix unquam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 surculus proficit nisi primo anno val∣dè proficiat. Crescentius.
• * 1.9

  Perfections of the Figure of a Dwarf-Tree.
• * 1.10

  A. First Perfection. B 2d. Perfection. C. 3d Perfection. D 4th. Perfection.
• * 1.11

  Imperfections of the Figure of a Dwarf-Tree. E. First Imper∣fection. F. 2. Imperfection. G. 3. Imperfection. H. 4. Imperfection.
• * 1.12

  Bonum ex in∣tegrâ causâ; malum ex quo∣libet defectu.
• * 1.13

  Non nunquam in Arbore unus ramus c••teris est Latior, quem nisi rescideris tota arb••r con∣tristabitur. Columella.