lo Jan.. 191-.] OrcJiard and Garden Notes. 6^ 



Pig. 59^ and b are common types of yearling peach or nectarine trees. 

 Fig. 59a requires to be differently pruned to Fig. 59^1. By examining 

 the branches upon the former, it will Ite seen that they have sound basal 

 buds to work upon. All branches not required to form the future head 

 upon this type (Fig. ^ga) should be cut away close to the main stem. 

 Then harden back the vertical growth to where marked thus — . and prune 

 back the three branches left to the basal buds. (See Fig. S9'^-) 



Fig. 59^ is a very simple type to prune, having sound buds upon the 

 main stem, and above the strong oblique growth, to operate upon. To get 

 clean growth and form an evenly-balanced head condition, it will be 

 necessary to utilize these buds. When pruning such a type, the correct 

 method is to remove all branches close to the main stem. Then prune back 

 to where there are three or four sound buds evenly spaced to form the 

 future head growths. (See Fig. 59«/.) 



Fig. 60b is a distinct type of a one-year-old tree from Figs, ^ga and b. 

 Allowing the two stronger branches to grow unchecked, and thereby 

 utilizing the greater quantity of the sap flow and plant food, has been the 

 means of .starving the opposite branches and the top of the tree. If such 

 a type had a sound bud upon the stem near the union of the stock, like 

 Fig. 59^7, the better plan would be to reduce back to such a bud. To 

 correctl}- prune such a type, so as to get an evenly-branched head, the two 

 stronger branches as well as the three low'er ones should be cut back close 

 to the main stem. This will leave the three higher ones, and these should 

 be cut back to the sound basal buds. (See Fig. 60^.) 



Fig. 60a is a straight type very easilv pruned correctl v, but is so often 

 pruned otherwise. If the growth made is long, vigorous and straight, it 

 simply means reducing back to a bud the desired height from the ground 

 so as to form a tree with a stem the requisite length. But with a type like 

 the one illustrated, having made a short sturdy growth, and the terminal 

 -end being bent, it is necessary to cut so as to form a well-balanced head 

 upon a straight stem. To obtain this end. it will be necessary to cut at bud 

 marked thus — , and not at bud indicated by W^^. This type of yearling 

 tree is more prevalent amongst cherries than other kinds in the nursery row. 



{To be coiii'nnied.) 



ORCHARD AND GARDEX NOTES. 



E. E. Pescott. Principal. Horticultural School. Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



The necessity for constant surface cultiNation is apparent every summer, 

 but more so in dry seasons. Not only in non-irrigable districts is this a 

 necessitv, but also in those districts where the trees can be watered, and 

 more so in the latter case. In irrigated orchards, the tendency of the soil, 

 as a result of artificial waterings, is to set and harden. Consequently, 

 stirring the surface must be resorted to, in order to keep up a good 

 mechanical condition of the soil, and also to prevent loss of irrigation 

 water by evaporation. 



In non-irrigated orchards, the cultivation work is necessary to conserve 

 what water has entered the subsoil as a result of the winter and spring 

 rains. Soil crusts should not be allowed to form. Summer showers are 

 not alone the cause of these formations ; dry w^eather conditions cau.se the 

 soil to consolidate, and anv trampling, or vehicular traffic tends to harden 

 the surface, and thus to allow of the escape of moisture that the trees must 

 meed. 



