PEUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TKEE. 



to their strength. All the fruit-branches that were pruned the preceding year are cut 

 back to the lowest shoot, or to the successional nearest to the principal branch ; and 

 this successional is itself shortened to two or three eyes, according to its strength when 

 it has no flowers ; and when it has flowers it is pruned to the first wood-bud above 

 the flower-buds. The laterals that it may be thought proper to preserve on the lead- 

 ing shoots of the principal branches must be pruned in the same way, and they are 

 thus treated at every subsequent pruning. This done, we proceed to prune the three 

 branches A, b, c, (fig. 11,) on each wing, commencing with the uppermost. 



Fig. 11. 



161. The two main branches, a, a, are pruned thirty-one inches and a half higher 

 up than at the preceding pruning, and on an eye situated on the upper side, and which 

 eye becomes the leading shoot. On the under side there must be an eye at the origin 

 of D, which is intended to form the third lower secondary branch. After having thus 

 operated on the two main branches, the two secondary ones, c and c, which must no'w 

 undergo their first pruning, are next attended to. They are pruned at about thirty- 

 one inches and a half from their base, on a bud situated as much as possible in front; 

 the shoot from it afterwards receives its proper direction by nailing. The branches n 

 and B are next pruned for the second time, and on a bud also placed in front, and 

 thirty-one inches and a half higher up than the preceding pruning. It is necessary to 

 remark, that, in order properly to constitute the lower secondary branches, they must 

 be so pruned that their extremities exceed the perpendicular line supposed to be 

 drawn where the end of the main branch touches when the latter is temporarily bent 

 down with the hand. This excess of length should be greatest for the lowest second- 

 ary, and diminish to the highest. I should add, that, when a secondary branch is to 

 be formed, it is always important to make the pruning, on the main branch, exactly 

 at the proper point, where the eye immediately below it, which is to produce the 

 secondary branch, may be placed at the proper distance for giving an equal space 

 between the lower branches. 



162. Immediately after the pruning is finished, the main branches are brought to a 

 proper position, by bringing down each wing equally, so that the secondary branches 

 may take a right direction. The requisite nailing of all branches is then completed. 



163. As vegetation advances, the young shoots are successively nailed, commencing 



