THE PEACH IN THE NORTH 



out trenching, draining, and otherwise preparing the ground for their reception. Were 1 

 to enter into a description of the manner in which ground is made and prepared for the 

 reception of these trees in England, it would surprise many. However, I take for granted 

 our ground is properly prepared, and our trees planted; the latter operation I think is best 

 performed in autumn; except for a very cold northern latitude, when perhaps early in 

 spring is preferable; after planting, the heads may be lightened, but not cut fully back 

 until spring; early in the latter season, say when the sap is about to move, let the plants 

 be headed back to within three eyes of the place where it had been budded as shown in 

 No. 2. As soon as these three ej^es break, and the shoots are of sufficient length, they 

 must be secured carefully to the trellis to which they are to be trained ; 

 they should be constanly watched when growing, that the shoots may 

 not be injured by insects or other causes, as the loss of a branch would 

 now be of vital importance to the future symmetry of the tree; all the 

 lateral or summer shoots which these produce should be allowed to No.'i— headed down the 

 grow, and secured in the same way as the principal branches. jirs^sprmgajterp 



As during the season of growth there is a reciprocal action carried on between the roots 

 and branches, the numbers of the former will be regulated by the proportions of the lat- 

 ter. The amount of healthy foliage which a tree possesses, is also of paramount impor- 

 tance, leaves being the functions of respiration and digestion; the numerous fibres of a free 

 growing peach tree collect an immense quantity of crude matter, which is propelled into 

 the leaves; here it is digested and assimilated, and is prepared to become the 

 wood of the tree. Now, if we had not an amount of foliage equivalent to the amount of 

 roots, how would matters stand.' Something in this way; the roots, as in the other case, 

 would collect food, force it into the stem and branches, but not having a sufficiency of 

 leaves to elaborate the sap, it remains in the pores of the tree, in a crude, indigested state; 

 the following autumn arrives, and what shall we find "i A tree with, it may be, strong 

 Avood, but that so sappy and unripened, that ere spring arrives it will be a mass of gum 

 and canker. Let us now see what appearance our trees will present that had an abun- 

 dance of healthy foliage, and which well performed their allotted offices under the bright 

 light and intense heat of our fine summers. In the autumn we find the branches well ri- 

 pened, ruddy in color, and as firm as a piece of oak; our young trees will now have con- 

 centrated within them, health and 

 strength, and will have the appearance 

 of No. 3. Perhaps I should have re- 

 maikcd when the trees had been plan- 

 ted, they should be well mulched with 

 long stable litter, which should be left 

 on through the summer, as it is of '^^s,'^^' 

 great benefit in keeping the roots moist ; 

 should the weather prove dry in earl}'- 

 spring, a few good soakings of liquid 

 manure will benefit them. Early in 

 the spring of the second year, our trees 

 must again be headed down, as shown 

 in No 4, to two eyes, and as our tree 

 is by this time pretty well established, 



break with considerable vi^or. No.i— As it appears after its first year's growth 



previous year T called attention to the great necessity of vigilance and care being 



