112 NAT. ORDER. AMADYLACELE. 



prosecuting such experiments, Mr. Knight recommends the seedling 

 Peach-trees to be retained in pots, and buds from them only to be 

 inserted in older trees ; for their rapid and luxuriant growth is ex- 

 tremely troublesome on a wall, and pruning is death to them. 



Propagation to -perpetuate varieties. The Peach is generally bud- 

 ded on Damask-plum stocks, and some of the more delicate sorts on 

 apricot stocks, or old apricot trees cut down, or on seedling Peaches, 

 almonds or nectarines. Knight recommends growing almond stocks 

 for the finer nectarines and apricots, as likely to prevent the mildew, 

 and as being allied to the Peach. He says, " almond stocks should 

 be raised and retained in the nurseries in pots, as they do not trans- 

 plant well." Perform the budding in July and August, in the side 

 of the stock, one bud in each ; they should be inserted near the bot- 

 tom for the principal wall-trees, and at the height of three or four or 

 five feet for riders. The bud will shoot the following spring, and 

 attain the length of three or four feet in the summer growth. After 

 the budded trees have ripened the first year's shoots, they may either 

 be planted where they are to remain, or to be trained in the nursery, 

 for two, three or four years, till in a bearing state. Whether the 

 plants be removed into the garden at a year old, or remain longer in 

 the nursery, the first year's shoot from the budding must be headed 

 down either early in June the same year, to gain a season, or in 

 March following, to four, five or six eyes, to produce lateral shoots, 

 with one upright leader to begin the formation of the head in a fan- 

 like expansion ; the second year's shoot should also be shortened to 

 a few eyes at the return of June or March ; and those also of the 

 third year, in such degree as may seem expedient. 



Suitable Soil. A good soil for Peach-trees, according to Aber- 

 crombie, " is composed of three parts mellow unexhausted loam, and 

 one part drift sand, moderately enriched with vegetable mould. If 

 the soil be lean and poor, and at the same time light, have the bor- 

 ders improved by decomposed dung, and fertile mellow earth ; if the 

 ground be strong and heavy, add some light earth or dung ; if very 



