SELECT VARIETIES. 35 



and at the same time it is not convenient to go 

 to the expense of making a peach border on the 

 lines indicated above, I should simply recommend 

 the digging out of holes of the dimensions given, 

 putting in drainage as described, and then filling 

 in with prepared soil of the description above re- 

 commended in which to plant the trees, extending 

 the rooting medium of the trees longitudinally 

 during the three following years, by which time 

 the soil in the intervening spaces will have been 

 removed and replaced with the prepared compost, 

 afterwards extending the operations in the opposite 

 direction. These annual extensions of root-space 

 and congenial soil will give renewed vigour and 

 fruitfulness to the trees so treated. As the readers 

 of this manual must first determine the varieties of 

 the peach and nectarine which they intend to grow 

 before they proceed with the planting of the trees, 

 a list of select and sterling varieties is here given 

 for them to choose from. 



SELECT VARIETIES OF THE PEACH. 



* First-class certificate from Royal Horticultural Society. 

 t Raised by Mr. Rivers. 



i. * Alexander. This earliest of all peaches is of 

 American origin. It is a free grower and 

 good bearer, the fruit being large, full of 

 juice, brisk flavour, and brilliant colour. 



4 



