262 VILLA. GARDENING pakt hi 



for taking its place ; and as Peaches will not remain on the tree 

 without the presence of a leader at the end of each branch beyond 

 the fruit, this also must be provided for. Thus, when the dis- 

 budding is finished — in the case of a full-sized tree at any rate — 

 there will be one healthy-growing shoot at the base of each bear- 

 ing shoot, for the purpose of taldng its place when it is cut away, 

 and another young shoot at the end to carry on the circulation. 

 Diu-ing the season, if the wood appear crowded, the leading shoots 

 may, to make room, be pinched back to 6 or 8 inches, but the shoots 

 at the base should be laid in full length. By iiir the greater 

 nmnber of fruit-growers lay in the young wood indiscriminately, 

 whether it comes on the upper or lower side of the branches. 

 They act on the principle of filling the space as quickly as possible. 

 Looking at the matter from a scientific standpoint, it would be 

 an advantage to take the young wood only from the upper side 

 of the branches. It is true that Avhen we have a wall to fill, 

 the exigencies of the situation often compel us to take the wood 

 where we can get it, and spread it over the surface of- the wall as 

 speedily as possible. Still, where the disbudding and other cultural 

 work has to be done by persons of limited knowledge and training, 

 it is easier and simpler to work according to a plan which lays 

 down exact rules for our guidance, rather than one which leaves 

 a good deal to individual judgment. If the disbudding is finished 

 in the course of three weeks or a month, no great check will be 

 given, and the young fruits will not be unduly exposed. As the 

 young shoots progress they will require to be laid on either by 

 nailing or tjdng, or else some windy day or night many of them 

 may be broken down and ruined. 



Thinning the Fruit. — This should take place as soon as all 

 danger of frost is over. It is ditiicult to advise as to what should 

 constitute a crop of Peaches or Nectarines ; and after all in the case 

 of fruit-crops most people please themselves, and as a rule injure 

 the trees by over-cropping. There is a good deal of covetousness in 

 average human nature, and perhaps it is no use railing against it. 

 And I will say, further, that Peaches should not be nearer to each 

 other than 6 inches, if fine good-tiavoured fruit is required, and it 

 is wished that the trees may have a long and fruitful life. 



Mulching and Watering. — Tliese are important matters, as 

 much needed help may be given by a coat of manure spread over 

 the surface in summer or hot weather, when the tree is carrying a 

 heavy crop. Watering both at the root and over the foliage is also 

 a necessity — in fact it does not receive sufiicient attention. There 

 would be fewer unhealthy trees if the borders were better made 

 and the roots kept more under control, and if, in times of pres- 



