PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE. 



plenty of light, and the temperature never higher than 60®; but they take so much 

 room that they scarcely "pay." Sown in this way, in boxes, I have succeeded in hav- 

 ing as good crops of them in March, from the stalks, as could be had in the open air 

 in their season. Bush Beans can be had in eight weeks, in a temperature of 60°, and 

 plenty of light, grown three together in G-inch pots. Asparagus may be had all the 

 winter, by taking up the roots (strong ones) in the fall, and planting them anywhere 

 so that a temperature of 50° or 60° can be commanded — under a greenhouse stao^e, 

 for instance ; but the more light their place of growth, the better the crop will be in 

 quality. Early Horn Carrots, sown in February, and protected from severe frost, 

 will come into use weeks before the general crop. Radishes may be had very early, 

 with a gentle bottom heat ; but they must have an abundance of air, or more leaves 

 than roots result. The Potato, like the Radish, requires an abundance of air, and a 

 temperature not above 55^. Radishes may be sown with Potatoes, in fact. Cauli- 

 flowers also want much air. They can then be had very early and fine, on a good 

 bottom heat of leaves or dung, in pits out of doors ; and are, in my estimation, the 

 most productive of forced vegetables. The Cucumber and Tomato can be had easily 

 wherever the temperature is above 60° ; but not well together, as the former does best 

 in a moist heat, while the latter will set its fruit only in a dry one. Lettuce can be 

 grown under the same condition as Radishes. Rhubarb and Sea Kale may be had 

 very early, by being forced on the ground where they grow. An enclosure being 

 formed, boards nailed together forming square trunks about two feet long placed over 

 each root, and about three feet of stable dung or leaves placed over the whole, is all 

 that is required. 



I hope my article is not too long ; and yet I have but pointed to the cabinets in 

 which kitchen gardening locks up her secrets, though I have endeavored at the same 

 time to supply novices with the keys that open them. I will only add that the expe- 

 rience on which the above notes are thrown together, renders them applicable especially 

 to Pennsylvania. 



PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE.* 



HI. Training the Principal Branches. 



99. This, to speak properly, is the first nailing which is made after the winter 

 pruning. In consists in fastening to the wall, or trellis, all the principal branches of 

 the tree. By this operation we give the Peach tree the regular form that it ought 

 to present, maintaining its branches at proper distances and in a suitable position. 

 The earlier the pruning, the more important it is to train in the branches immedi- 

 ately ; because, should a sudden change in the temperature take place, its bad effects 

 are not so much felt by the tree when nailed, and protected by the copings, and by 

 straw mats in the worst aspcvHs. It is absolutely necessary that all the wood-branches 



*■ Continued from February number. 



