40 THE KANSAS PEACH. 



for peach trees. Tillage with green manure crops at the end of the 

 season can be relied upon to furnish the nitrogen in most instances. 

 . We have been taught all along that nitrogen lies at the foun- 

 dation of successful agriculture, and this is true ; but its greatest 

 benefits, when it is applied artificially, are to be expected upon the 

 annual crops of the farm and garden. It can also be applied advan- 

 tageously in some cases to newly set fruit plantations. I do not wish 

 to disparage the use of nitrogen, for even in bearing orchards a direct 

 application may sometimes be necessary ; but I desire to state what 

 I believe to be a fundamental consideration in orchard culture, that 

 nitrogen can easily be used to excess, and that it can generally be ob- 

 tained by means of tillage and green manure, and also that potash 

 and phosiDhoric acid need to be annually applied to orchards of bear- 

 ing age. 



PRUNING PEACH TREES. 



The methods of pruning jjeach trees are the occasion of much dis- 

 cussion among pomologists. The differences of opinion turn chiefly 

 about three practices — short trunks with rapidly ascending branches, 

 high trunks with more horizontal branches, and shortening in or head- 

 ing back the annual growth. Each of these three methods of handling 

 or training peach trees has ardent advocates and j^ronounced oppo- 

 nents. It is probable that each method has distinct merits in par- 

 ticular cases. I believe that the nature and fertility of the soil are 

 the dominating factors in these opposing methods. A system of prun- 

 ing which fits the slow growth and hard wood of sandy soils may not 

 be adapted to the rapid growth and heavier tops of trees on strong 

 soils. 



There is much to be said, fairly, for the high-topi^ed trees. They 

 are more easy to till, and it is quite as easy to pick their fruit ; and 

 there is less tendency to make long and sprawling branches as a result 

 of careless pruning. On rich lands it is perhaps the better method. 

 And here is the chief reason for heading back in this climate — the 

 necessity of checking the growth and keeping the tree within bounds 

 when it is growing in a strong soil. Whether one shall head in his 

 trees or not, therefore, must depend entirely on circumstances. In 

 sandy peach lands it is generally unnecessary, but it may be a good 

 practice when trees make an over-exuberant growth. This heading in 

 is usually done in the winter, from a third to half the annual growth 

 being removed. It is sometimes done also in the summer, but it is 

 very doubtful if this is a wise practice. The summer trimming is 

 usually made in June, by clipping off an inch or two of the ends of 

 the tender shoots by means of a sickle or sword. 



Heading in the branches always makes a thick-topjjed tree. The 



