PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE. 141 



centre (Fig. 5). The growing-point sometimes perishes without 

 bad consequences to the fruit. 



15. When no accident occurs to the fruit-bud, there results the 

 opening of the flower, which, after having fulfilled its functions, 

 sets a fruit, of which the growth and maturity successively 

 take place. 



16. The wood-bud produces all the woody parts of the tree ; 

 these, at first herbaceous, undergo several modifications of which 

 we must give some account. 



17. b. Of the Young Shoot (Bourgeon). The young shoot is the 

 first state into which the wood-bud enters in continuing its growth. 

 At first it is merely a cluster of two or three young leaves, which 

 expand with the small herbaceous stalk that bears them ; and a 

 greater or less number of leaves form upon its length in pro- 

 portion to its growth, which is sometimes very extensive. When 

 the young shoot is vigorous, eyes situated near its point break 

 out during its growth, and give rise to productions which receive 

 the name of summer laterals ; and which, at Montreuil, we 

 designate redrugeons. 



18. The young shoot is so called until its elongation for the 

 season is terminated ; after that it is termed a rameau [by the 

 French ; in England the qualification of young is no longer 

 applied, and it is merely called a shoot]. 



19. c. Of the Shoot (Rameau). It has been shown that this is 

 nothing more than a young shoot in a more advanced state. 

 Nevertheless it is still distinguished from the young shoot, not by 

 its strength only, but by the eyes with which it is furnished 

 throughout its length. These eyes are at different distances 

 according to the vigour of the shoots. The latter vary in length 

 from four inches to six and a half feet. 



20. The shoot (rameau) preserves its name so long as the buds 

 with which it is furnished remain unexpanded ; but as soon as 

 they commence to burst forth, in the following spring, it becomes 

 a branch. 



21. The false shoot, or lateral, bears the same relation to the 

 shoot, or young branch, as the summer lateral does to the young 

 shoot. In some respects the false shoot ought to be considered 

 and treated the same as the shoot. 



22. I admit but two sorts of shoots (rameau), namely — 1st, 

 the wood-shoot; 2nd, the mixed shoot, that is to say, one for both 

 wood and fruit. 



23. First sort. The wood-shoot is adapted for the production 



