248 THE PEACH. 



most, in order to favor the growth of the shorter ones. The 

 longest limbs, that destroy the balance of the tree, should be 

 cut back, in order to restore the equilibrium and uniformity 

 of the head. By pursuing this course, the tree is brought to 

 a well rounded shape, and all danger of the limbs splitting off 

 with the weight of fruit is obviated. By reducing the wood 

 of the last year's growth, say to one half, it must be recol- 

 lected we reduce the next year's crop to one Jtalf, for we thus 

 take off the bearino; twigs. The remaining half will now re- 

 ceive all the sustenance of the tree, and the fruit will be 

 double in size. As the season advances, the young shoots put 

 out from every part of the tree, and keep it well furnished 

 with healthy, vigorous bearing wood for the growth of the 

 next crop. The size and luxuriance of the leaves aid in pro- 

 ducing larger and finer flavored fruit. It is the practice of 

 some gardeners to shorten back close above a zvood hud rather 

 than a blossom bud, which is an advantage to the foliage as 

 well as the fruit. The size and beauty of the fruit is much- 

 promoted by the size and vigor of the leaves. Fruit buds 

 may be known, as has been noticed in another part of this 

 work, by the spherical form they assume. The leaf buds 

 being pointed and rather sharp. 



This system of pruning must be a regular business, every 

 year, as .long as the tree lasts. It is done much more expedi- 

 tiously than most persons are aware. The wounded parts^ 

 being small, need no plaster or painting, and it is generally 

 done w^hen the farmer is not busy. 



The appearance of a tree, or an orchard, pruned in this 

 way, even after bearing many successive crops, is a very great 

 and notable contrast to that of the skeleton shapes that have 

 not been favored with this regulating treatment. Some people 

 are very cautious, and discredit the benefits of this shorten- 

 ing-in mode, as applied to the peach tree; but they should 

 mark the difference between a beautifully rounded, low-headed, 

 healthy young tree, laden with large, beautiful fruit, and lux- 

 uriant green foliage, while the tree not so treated is of a char- 

 acter so different, as is exhibited by the wood cuts above rep- 

 resented; no one should, or can, doubt the advantages of so 



