PRUNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE. 177 



138. The removal of any shoot, and particularly that made 

 after the second growth, of August, when the base of the shoot 

 becomes woody, is, iu fact, a summer-pruning. 



139. It often happens, in the square form of training, that the 

 upper secondary branches of a completely formed tree make two 

 strong growths in the early part of the growing season, notwith- 

 standing the pinching of their terminal shoots and their laterals. 

 In such a case we must cut back to a weak lateral, which then 

 becomes a fresh leader. 



140. With regard .to the other wood-branches, it is only in case 

 of accident to their extremities, such as breakage by the wind, 

 severe disease resulting from gumming, or from any other cause 

 injuriously affecting the leading shoot, that we must prune back 

 in summer to a lower shoot suitable for succession. In doing this, 

 we must take into account the position of the branches, and their 

 relative force, so as to choose one more or less vigorous, which 

 must afterwards be treated according to circumstances. 



141. Summer-pruning is to the fruit-branches what disbudding 

 is to the superfluous shoots. It sometimes happens, that, 

 deceived by appearances, we retain some fruit-brauches which 

 eventually do not realise our expectations, and which would other- 

 wise have been cut off; they must be cut down on the young 

 shoot nearest to their base, in order to get rid of the useless 

 wood, and to encourage the growth of this young shoot, which is 

 intended to become a fruit-branch next year. This suppression 

 prevents a useless absorption of sap, and it not only prevents 

 confusion, but likewise admits a freer circulation of air. It is 

 also at the summer-pruning that the extremity of the successional 

 shoot is cut down on the lowest lateral of those induced by 

 pinching. In this respect summer-pruning is very important ; 

 for it concentrates the sap, and greatly benefits the part retained, 

 which, in consequence, becomes furnished with wood and flower- 

 buds (126). 



149. It also often happens that a fruit-branch of the first sort 

 (77, 78) has been left longer than desirable, in order to prune in 

 winter to a wood-bud ; and which fruit-branch at that time had 

 not a pushing-eye at its base, but has since produced one. In 

 that case, although the fruit-branch may be in bearing, we cut it 

 back to the young shoot at its base, in order not to lose the 

 opportunity of thus obtaining the successional shoot. 



143. Summer-pruning is performed according as it is found 

 necessary, and every time the shoots are nailed iu during summer, 



