MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 59 
Peaches and nectarines may be planted after defoliation 
either in spring or fall. Fall planting is to be preferred 
in order that the plants may become established before start- 
ing to grow. However, when planted in the spring a crop 
may be produced the first season. In either case the plants 
should be thoroughly watered and mulched to conserve mois- 
ture. The soil, even in the resting season, should not be 
permitted to become dry; otherwise the dormant buds will 
drop off when root action starts. Newly planted stock should 
not be forced before the first of February, but established 
plants may be started after the middle of September, in a 
temperature of 48° F. at night and 50-55° F. during the 
day. Within ten days as the buds show development, the 
temperature may be increased to 50° F. at night and 
60-65° F. during the day, allowing 70° F. for sun heat, 
the latter being controlled by ventilation. During the 
flowering season in early February the atmosphere should 
be kept fairly dry to facilitate pollination. Pollination is 
usually accomplished by using a rabbit’s foot or tail on 
a handle and dusting across the open flowers. With the 
setting of the fruit the temperature may be increased to 
its maximum of 60° F. at night and 75° F. during the day. 
After the fruit is permanently set, and weather permitting, 
the foliage may be sprayed several times throughout the day. 
The soil should be soaked so thoroughly that it will not dry 
out for several days. The systematic use of fertilizers 
throughout the entire season is an important factor in pro- 
ducing the maximum amount of fruit. A light top dressing 
of cow manure should be given when the plants are started. 
This should be followed with periodical applications of bone- 
meal, hard-wood ashes, and potash. Overfeeding will mani- 
fest itself in the form of brittle leaves. 
The fruit is formed upon spurs of the previous year’s 
growth. Careful disbudding and training are necessary ; 
otherwise the growth will soon become too crowded and 
result in ‘‘blind wood’’, or the development of wood buds 
instead of fruiting spurs. To avoid checking the plants sur- 
plus shoots should be removed periodically and not all at 
one time. Disbudding may be started when the shoots are 
about a half inch long. Thinning of fruit is essential, since 
overcropping will result in small fruit which lack flavor. 
