PKUNmG AND MANAGEMKNT OF THE TEACH T-tEK. 



sLould be trained in a perfectly straight line, because the least cuTve might draw the 

 sap to tlu' shoots that may be there, and give them a disproportionate strength, and 

 thus render them troublesome. Training in the principal branches is of greater im- 

 portance on this account than on that of its giving a regular appearance to the tree. 

 Although this operation appears very easy, it is not without its merit when well done ; 

 and sometimes we can not do it well at the first attempt. The intelligent cultivator, 

 who is fond of his calling, never hesitates about going over his work a second time, in 

 order to give it the desired regularity. 



100. This training affords an excellent opportunity of restoring the balance of 

 strength between two wings, one of which is stronger than the other; as also between 

 principal branches on the same wing, where the sap does not circulate equally. To 

 attain this end, it is sufficient either to nail the stronger part closely against the wall 

 to hinder its growth, or to give greater liberty to the feeble part ; so that, being more 

 freely surrounded with air, the vigorous development of its shoots may be promoted. 

 These two means may be employed separately or combined, according to circumstan- 

 ces. Sometimes we even bring the weak side forward from four to eight inches from 

 the wall, supporting it by props placed for that purpose ; and when the equilibrium is 

 restored, it is put back in its place. This method must only be adopted when there 

 is no longer any fear of trost. 



101. Again, in training the branches of the Peach tree, we can fasten the weak 

 part more vertically and the strong more horizontally. The sap consequently flows 

 with greater force into the former, and the balance is restored. These two means 

 may be employed at the same time on young trees ; but in those which have attained 

 their full growth, it frequently happens that we can not bring the strong part any 

 lower, and in that case our only resource is to train the weak part more upright. The 

 use of these various modes ought to cease as soon as a more even distribution of the 

 sap has rendered the respective parts equal. 



102. In order to facilitate the operation of training, and to give it the desired regu- 

 larity, we fix guides on the wall, or trellis, so as to regulate thereby the position of 

 the principal branches. These guides are taken away when the formation is complete, 

 and the branches are then maintained in the place assigned to them. 



IV. jVailiny. 



103. The nailing consists in fastening all the branches of a Peach tree, whatever 

 their nature may be, in the place most suitable to them. The regulation or training 

 of the principal branches, which has just been treated on (99), is, properly speaking, 

 the nailing of them. 



104. But nailing, as I understand it, is chiefly applicable to the fruit-branches, and 

 to the shoots as soon as their growth requires it. It will thus be perceived that we 

 may carry on the nailing of the tree throughout the whole course of its existence ; 

 nevertheless there are two periods of the year more especially devoted to this opera- 

 tion — namely, when the tree is without foliage, and when it is furnished with I 

 Hence the operation is distinguished as winter-nailing and summer-nailing, 



