PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TEEE. 



from tlieir bases, or occasionally by a lateral ; so tbat vegetation may still go on, 

 but under circumstances tbat may admit of tbe growth being so regulated, by pinch- 

 ing, as to prevent over-luxuriance. Besides, much trouble may be avoided by length- 

 ening the pruning, and restraining the vegetation, by nailing close to the wall. 



lYO. At the time of the second disbudding, I choose, on the upper side of the main 

 branch, three fruit-branches which have already received one or more prunings. The 

 three branches should be at equal distances, of the thickness of a quill, and, respect- 

 ively, originating lower down the main branch than where each of the lower secondary 

 branches takes its rise. 



From these three branches, which are intended to become the three upper secondary 

 branches, e, e, e, I take off all the useless young shoots situated in front and behind ; 

 and I make choice of one for a leader which, without being too vigorous, appears 

 well conditioned. I winter-prune it to a wood-bud, and nail it somewhat more uj)- 

 right than the other fruit-branches, and so close to the wall that its growth may be 

 moderate, and any disposition to the contrary must be checked. 



iVl. This preparation for establishing the three upper branches, e, e, e, is not made 

 till the following year in trees which have made only weak shoots, and in those of 

 which the lower branches do not appear sufficiently strong ; but then the tree is not 

 completely formed when eight years old. 



172. Sixth Pruning. — Seventh year of x>lci.nting. It will be perceived, by refer- 

 ring to fig. 11, that the main branch, a, bears three branches, e, e, e, on its upper 

 side, which are much more developed than any of the other productions on that side. 

 These three branches are the ones preserved at the disbudding of the preceding sea- 

 son, and which are now becoming the three upper secondary branches. If it was not 

 possible to form these the preceding year (IVO, 171) they must now be originated. 



173. The pruning of the fruit-branches, and successional shoots, and the treatment 

 of the young ones, by disbudding and pinching, are still carried on. The same course 

 is adopted with regard to the four branches. A, b, c, d, the extremities of which are 

 shortened back at the winter-pruning. 



174. With regard to the three branches, e, e, e, their leading shoots are pruned, 

 for the first time, by shortening them to wood-buds, situated at heights proportionate 

 to the respective conditions and state of growth of the shoots. If any of them have 

 blossom-buds, the shoots must be pruned to a wood-bud above the blossom-buds ; 

 and care must be taken to disbud, as soon as they push, all wood-buds situated below 

 the flowers, with the exception of one or two wood-buds that are nearest the base of 

 the shoots. Immediately after pruning, the three secondary branches, e, e, e, are 

 nailed obliquely, tightening the shreds more or less as is needful ; and afterwards all 

 the young shoots that are retained are nailed in the same way. During the growing 

 season, the progress of the leading shoots is watched, and they are pinched when 

 necessary. Their laterals are also pinched to six or eight leaves. In short the growth 

 of the branches of this part of the tree and that of their shoots must be particularly 

 attended to lest they impoverish those below ; the upper young shoots must be nailed 

 as soon as possible, in order to keep the sap in the lower parts. If, notwithstanding 



