144 PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE. 



32. The finest trees are produced on the Almond-stock, 

 especially on the hard-shelled variety. It succeeds well every- 

 where except on very wet soils, or those subject to be flooded, 

 because the roots of the Almond almost invariably perish when 

 under water. It has the advantage of late growth ; consequently, 

 it is indispensable for the late varieties of Peaches. 



33. The Plum is better fitted than the Almond for moist soils. 

 Except in this case, I prefer the Almond-stock because it imparts 

 a greater vigour to the tree. This is the opinion of the growers 

 also. Nevertheless the following example does not appear to 

 corroborate this : — For ten years I have cultivated a wall covered 

 with a hundred Peach-trees, of which fifty were on Almond and 

 fifty on Plum-stocks, planted alternately. The soil was very 

 unsuitable for the culture of the Peach, being gravelly, stony, clayey, 

 &c. All the trees have, notwithstanding, grown well ; Almond and 

 Plum-stocks have made an equal growth, so much so that, even 

 after most scrupulous examination, I have found it impossible to 

 say on which stock the tree succeeded best. The produce from 

 both has also been in every respect equal. I still, however, prefer 

 the Almond-stock, although I have given this case as an exception 

 in favour of the Plum. 



34. The Peach-tree itself is the least employed as a stock on 

 which to bud its different varieties. They grow on it vigorously, 

 but do not fruit so readily. They are also liable to gumming. 

 I have budded the Peach on its own stock, and have been dis- 

 appointed with the crop of fruit. I have remarked that by 

 budding a second time, the growth was moderated, and the crop 

 was abundant. But this proceeding delays production ; it must 

 therefore be abandoned for the use of the Almond and Plum- 

 stocks. Besides, thus worked, the Peach is but short-lived. 



35. If we desire to plant our own Almond-stocks, we must 

 choose hard-shelled almonds, and put them in layers. In the 

 first fortnight of January, we must put in a box or basket, 

 alternately, a bed of sand of the thickness of the hand and a 

 layer of Almonds until the box be full, or till all the Almonds are 

 used, and place the box or basket in a cellar, or in the earth, so as 

 to be moist and protected from the frost. As soon as there is no 

 fear of frost, that is to say about the end of April, the Almonds 

 are planted in a soil, manured and trenched to the depth of 

 sixteen inches at least. Holes are then made from six to seven 

 inches deep, and about a foot apart, in each of which an Almond 

 is placed, after breaking off about one-third of its tap-root in 



