PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TPtEE. 165 



that are on the under side and at the bases of the principal 

 branches, the fruit-branches growing there being always less 

 vigorous than those on the upper sides and extremities. 



After each fruit-branch has been pruned according to the prin- 

 ciples I have laid down, I train in the principal branches of the 

 tree, inclining each in the way it should go, and then only do I 

 prune their extremities. By this mode of proceeding it is easier 

 to judge of their relative length and strength, so as to act 

 accordingly. 



III. Training the Principal Branches. 



99. Thi3, to speak properly, is the first nailing which is made 

 after the winter-pruning. It consists in fastening to the wall, or 

 trellis, all the principal branches of the tree. By this operation 

 we give the Peach-tree the regular form that it ought to present, 

 maintaining its branches at proper distances and in a suitable 

 position. The earlier the pruning, the more important it ft to 

 train in the branches immediately ; because, should a sudden 

 change in the temperature take place, its bad effects are not so 

 much felt by the tree when nailed, and protected by the copings, 

 and by straw-mats in the worst aspects. It is absolutely necessary 

 that all the wood-branches should be trained in a perfectly straight 

 line, because the least curve might draw the sap to the shoots 

 that may be there, and give them a disproportionate strength, 

 and thus render them tixmblesome. Training in the principal 

 branches is of greater importance on this account than on that of 

 its giving a regular appearance to the tree. Although this 

 operation appears very easy, it is not without its merit when well 

 done ; and sometimes we cannot do it well at the first attempt. 

 The intelligent cultivator, who is fond of his calling, never 

 hesitates about going over his work a second time, in order to give 

 it the desired regularity. 



100. This training affords an excellent opportunity of restoring 

 the balance of strength between two wings, one of which is 

 stronger than the other ; as also between principal branches on 

 the same wing, where the sap does not circulate equally. To 

 attain this end, it is sufficient either to nail the stronger part 

 closely against the wall to hinder its growth, or to give greater 

 liberty to the feeble pai't ; so that, being more freely surrounded 

 with air, the vigorous development of its shoots may be promoted. 

 These two means may be employed separately or combined, 



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