148 PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE. 



not the case with walls running east and west ; on these the trees 

 facing the south have too much heat, whilst those on the opposite 

 side scarcely see the sun, and either ripen their fruit badly, or not 

 at all. This consideration has determined the greater part of 

 the inhabitants of Montreuil, Bagnolet, and other places, where 

 the cultivation of the Peach is the principal source of employment, 

 to build their walls to run nearly north and south, in order that 

 the trees planted on the east side may enjoy the influence of the 

 sun from his rising till 1 p.m. ; and those on the west for the 

 rest of the day. However, we plant the Peach against aspects 

 less favourable than those just mentioned ; for the ground does 

 not always admit of placing the walls so as to afford the aspect we 

 would wish. Walls are occasionally to be seen which do not 

 receive any sun till 10 a.m. ; we, however, cover them with 

 Peach-trees, which become very fine ; but they give great trouble 

 in pruning, because their wood or pushing-eyes are frequently at 

 the ends only of the fruit-branches, which must therefore be 

 preserved entire if we wish to obtain fruit. 



49. As regards the nature of the soil, the Peach is not so par- 

 ticular as some imagine. When well managed it grows anywhere, 

 if the soil is only deep enough. Nevertheless its growth is much 

 greater and more regular when planted in a light soil resting on 

 a bottom of silicious pebbles amongst which the roots of the 

 Almond find their way ; it must also be one that does not retain 

 the water so long as to prove hurtful to the roots when the 

 summer is wet. 



III. Of Walls and Protection. 



50. When we have a garden the walls of which are already 

 built, the aspects that they have must be made the best of. But 

 when a new garden is made, it is well to bear in mind what I 

 have said with regard to aspect, and consequently to lay out the 

 kitchen-garden in the most suitable manner for building walls in 

 the best direction for the trees. 



51. When a Peach- wall is built at Montreuil, it is 15| inches 

 thick at its base, tapering to llf at the top; and about ten feet 

 high. This height is the most convenient for the square mode of 

 training, that which I recommend. There is no objection to the 

 walls being of a greater height. But experience has shown us 

 that the height I have stated is sufficient ; and it is prudent not 

 to make an outlay too great in proportion to the pi'oduce which 



