PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE. 



weakest laterals ; and the growing-point must be pinched before there is time to form 

 eyes along the shoot. The consequence is, the sap, finding all outlets at this part 

 temporarily closed, turns into other channels before the former can be re-opened. 



138. The removal of any shoot, and particularly that made after the second growth, 

 of August, when the base of the shoot becomes woody, is in feet a summer-prunino-. 



139. It often happens, in the square form of training, that the upper secondary 

 branches of a completely formed tree make two strong growths in the early part of the 

 growing season, notwithstanding the pinching of their terminal shoots and their laterals. 

 In such a case we must cut back to a weak lateral, which then becomes a fresh leader 



140. With regard to the other wood-branches, it is only in case of accident to their 

 extremities, such as breakage by the wind, severe disease resulting from gummino-, or 

 from any other cause injuriously affecting the leading shoot, that we must prune back 

 in summer to a lower shoot suitable for succession. In doing this, we must take into 

 account the position of the branches, and their relative force, so as to choose one more 

 or less vigorous, which must afterwards be treated according to circumstances. 



141. Summer-pruning is to the fruit-branches what disbudding is to the superfluous 

 shoots. It sometimes happens that, deceived by appearances, we retain some fruit- 

 branches which eventually do not realize our expectations, and which would otherwise 

 have been cut off ; they must be cut down on the young shoot nearest to their base, 

 in order to get rid of the useless wood, and to encourage the gi-owth of this young 

 shoot, which is intended to become a fruit-branch next year. This suppression pre- 

 vents a useless absorption of sap, and it not only prevents confusion, but likewise 

 admits a freer circulation of air. It is also at the summer-pruning that the extremity 

 of the successional shoot is cut down on the lowest lateral of those induced by pinch- 

 ing. In this respect summer-pruning is very important ; for it concentrates the sap, 

 and greatly benefits the part retained, which, in consequence, becomes furnished with 

 wood and flower-buds (126). 



142. It also often happens that a fruit-branch of the first sort (77, 78,) has been left 

 longer than desirable, in order to prune in winter to a wood-bud ; and which fruit-branch 

 at that time had not a pushing-eye at its base, but has since produced one. In that 

 case, although the fruit-branch may be in bearing, we cut it back to the young shoot at 

 its base, in order not to lose the opportunity of thus obtaining the successional shoot. 



143. Summer-pruning is performed according as it is found necessary, and every 

 time the shoots are nailed in during summer, until after the fruit has been gathered. 

 The more it is attended to, so much the more is the winter-pruning advanced. 



X. Defoliation. 



144. The object of this is, to remove leaves that shade the fruit so as to deprive it 

 of the amount of light necessary to give it the proper flavor and color. 



145. The leaves are taken off" at several times. We ought not to commence uncov- 

 ering the fruit until it is about to accomplish its maturity ; that is to say, when the 

 Peaches are nearly at their full size. They are not exposed all at once to the 

 nor are all on the same tree uncovered at one time, at least when not grown for 



