226 THE GARDENER. [May 



for himself. Avoid trees that have stood long in the nursery rows, 

 and that have been frequently cut hard back, and choose those having 

 from eight to ten strong, well-ripened shoots. See that the union 

 with the stock is perfect and free from gumming, and the stem healthy 

 and growing-like, having no sign of being bark bound. 



TLAXTING. 



The border and trees being in readiness, the operation of planting 

 is a very simple one. The first thing to decide is the distance at which 

 the trees are to be planted. I am averse to thick planting for perma- 

 nent trees. To restrict a Peach tree planted in a good Peach border 

 is very unadvisable. They should have plenty of room to develop 

 themselves. For a Peach-house wall 35 feet long two standard trees 

 on the back are quite sufficient, thus planting them 9 feet from each 

 end of the house. On the front trellis other two dwarfs are enough. 

 Should it be an object to get as much fruit as possible in a short time 

 a temporary tree may be planted, one between the two permanent 

 ones and one at each end, to be removed as the two permanent trees 

 require the space. In the case of the front trellis, the temporary trees 

 should be standards so as to clothe the upper part of the trellis for the 

 time being. Before planting them carefully examine the roots, and 

 shorten back a little any that are gross and strong, and cut away all 

 bruised or broken parts. Turn back the soil sufficiently to allow the 

 roots to be stretched fully and regularly out on the surface. Place the 

 boles of the trees so that they will be three to four inches clear off the 

 back wall and the front trellis work, so that they may have plenty of 

 room to swell without pressing on the wall or trellis. Cover the roots 

 carefully with the finer portion of the soil to the depth of 6 inches, 

 making it rather firm. Fix the tree loosely to the wall, and water the 

 roots through a rose. 



The season I prefer for planting is autumn, say the beginning of 

 November or end of October, when the leaves are dropping off the trees. 

 Planting can, however, be performed, and often is successful, from Oc- 

 tober to April. In planting Peach-houses, where healthy trees exist, 

 on the open walls, it is a good plan to lift some that are of considerable 

 size, say planted five or six years, and transfer them to the Peach-house. 

 I have done this and got a good crop the following season. Every 

 fibre should be carefully saved in the process. By this means a Peach- 

 house can be furnished with fruit without the loss of a season or a 

 crop. 



