PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OP THE PEACH TREE. 



150. First ruDNiNii. — Second year of idantiiuf. Fig. 7 represents the results of 

 the first summer's growth. A\'o begin by cutting olV the jiiece c, closely to the angle 

 formed by the two branches. This portion of stem has been retained till now, in 

 order that its three young shoots, which have been pinched when necessary, might 

 assist the two buds a and h (fig. G) in drawing the sap. The latter liave made the 

 shoots A, A, (fig. 7,) of sufficient growth to allow of our pruning the two main branches 

 to the proper length. This length is about fifteen or sixteen inches, measuring from 

 the insertion of the branch. "We must now examine the state of tlie two main 

 branches, and endeavor to find two properly placed eyes at the above height. One of 

 them, a, (fig. 7,) situated on the upper side, is intended to serve for the prolongation 

 of the main branch ; and the other, />, (in the same figure,) and situated on the lower 

 side, to form the first lower secondary branch. The other main branch. A, is examined 

 for two similar eyes at the same height, or nearly so. When that is done, each of the 

 two main branches is pruned on the eye a, -which becomes the terminal pushing one ; 

 and the eye h gives rise to the first lower secondary branch. 



151. As the effect of the pruning on the eye a is to induce great activity of vege- 

 tation (Go), the resulting shoot must be^¥atched, and nailed at the proper time. The 

 eye h must be er|ually watched, and nailed when necessary, training it by a rod in the 

 right direction, endeavoring at the same time to keep its strength in proportion to 

 that of the leading shoot of the main branch a. If necessary, superfluous shoots are 

 removed at the disbudding, especially those at the front and back. The excessive 

 growth of those that are overbearing is kept down by pinching ; and lastly, we must 

 endeavor to maintain a constant balance as regards length and thickness of shoots 

 betwen the two wings. It is of importance not to concentrate the sap too much in 

 young trees, but to leave it the necessary outlets. All regulating operations, such as 

 pinching, should be conducted according to the state of growth of the tree, and should 

 be performed to a greater extent when it is very vigorous. 



152. If the balance is disturbed, it can be restored in several ways. The tree may 

 be unnailed and re-nailed, so that the weakly wing may be more or less vertical, while 

 the stronger one is lowered. This means, seconded by disbudding and pinching, is 

 generally sufficient. But if it do not produce the desired eft'ect, the weakly wing may 

 be brought out from the wall, in order to give it still greater liberty (100). Never- 

 theless, that its branches may not take an improper direction, one or more props are 

 placed behind them at six or eight inches from the wall. The Aving is supported on 

 these props so as to give it more air, which will greatly tend to strengthen it. It 

 might be left perfectly free, if it were not for fear of the blasts of wind, which might 

 break some of the branches, or bruise the bark and the green parts by shaking ; it is 

 therefore prudent to fix it as above. When the equilibrium is restored, the tree is re- 

 nailed with regularity. The wing should not be brought forward from the wall except 

 in fine weather, because, from its distance from the wall, it is deprived of the protec- 

 tion of the copings and screens, and would be more exposed to frosts. In pointing 



this mode of restoring the balance between the two wings, a mode which can be 

 employed for trees of any age, the necessity of giving a perfect regularity to the young 



