226 



United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, owing to climatic 

 conditions, Peaches growing in the open ground Iwve to be trained 

 upon walls with a sunny aspect. This mode of training is not required 

 in Australasia, speaking generally, though the practice might prove 

 useful in some of the coldest districts. It might also prove service- 

 able in hastening maturity, but this object can be more surely and 

 effectively attained by growing the trees under glass. 



THINNING THK CHOI*. 



Peach and Nectarine trees are frequently over prolific, and set 

 more fruit than can be brought to perfection. When such is the 

 case it will be an advantage, if practicable, to thin out the crops at 

 an early stage of growth. Fine well-flavoured fruit cannot be 

 obtained from overcrowded branches. Cultivators should bear in 

 mind that a comparatively small number of really good Peaches will 

 give a much better return than twice the quantity of inferior fruit. 

 The best time for thinning is when the fruit is about the size of 

 marbles, and care must be taken not to remove more fruit than is 

 necessary. When circumstances will permit, it will be better not to 

 reduce the crop too much at first, but to thin out a second time after 

 the " stoning " period, which is a somewhat critical stage with the 

 Peach and Nectarine, as during this time a proportion of the fruit is 

 apt to fall. This is more especially likely to be the case in wet soils 

 after heavy rains, or in irrigated land if water is used at the " stoning " 

 stage. Cultivators should remember that though thinning out 

 reduces the number of fruit, yet it does not necessarily lessen the 

 weight of the crop, while at the same time there will be a vast gain 

 in quality. Though the operation of thinning is so much extra 

 labour, yet it will prove a profitable investment for growers, who 

 should adopt it as far as may be practicable. 



PROPAGATION. 



Propagation may be effected by seeds, cuttings, layers, budding, 

 and grafting. Trees are easily raised from seeds, and plants obtained 

 by this means seem to be more vigorous and better able to withstand 

 disease than others. The greatest drawback to the culture of Peach 

 trees is that in many districts, and more especially the cooler ones, 

 they have of late years been so badly blighted. According to recent 

 observations of the writer in various districts, he found that seedling 

 Peaches growing where soivn do not so readily get blighted as those 

 that have been planted in the ordinary way. Of course, seedling 

 Peaches cannot be depended upon as regards variety, as they often differ 

 materially from their parents. They may be good or bad, and a Peach- 

 stone may produce a Nectarine, or vice versd. But there is no reason 

 why seedlings should not be raised where the trees are wanted, budding 

 them with the desired v.arieties. Stones should be sown in the autumn, 



