THI PEACH AND THE NECTARINE ] 321 



without bending them, and the soil lightly mixed with 

 some old manure, is packed carefully between the layers 

 of roots, until all the roots are well covered; it is then 

 pressed down by the foot, a good mulching of manure is 

 given, and then the pocket may be completely filled up 

 with earth to the ground level. If the weather is dry a 

 good soaking with water will be necessary to cause the 

 soil to settle well around the roots. Deep planting is 

 not advisable, as it is preferable to have a few inches of 

 the stock above the ground, but on the other hand a tree 

 planted higher above the ground than its former position 

 in the nursery is liable to suffer severely in the dry season 

 before it is thoroughly established, and the tendency of 

 the roots to throw up suckers becomes much more 

 marked, being closer to the surface, and the production 

 of suckers by a newly planted tree is always detrimental 

 to its vigour. Newly planted trees should be cut back a 

 little, and the number of branches reduced in order to 

 restore the balance between the tree and its roots, so 

 that in the following spring the new growth may push 

 with more freedom. 



A sunry si u -tion i* es * ntV 



ment of the peach and nectar in , pui tfeuldrl) <>*. -*i ^ 

 maturing after the middle of j uly, but all sorts even the 

 earliest are benefited by a full exposure to the sun. 

 Therefore the old rule to plant fruit trees in lines directed 

 from north to south, which is always wise to follow, should 

 be strictly adhered to in the case of the peach and necta- 

 rine, so that all sides of the tree may enjoy the action of 

 the direct rays of the sun. 



Trees newly transplanted should receive a good 

 watering in spring as soon as the buds have moved, so 

 that the activity of the roots may receive no check from 

 eventual dry weather, and watering should be repeated 

 throughout the spring and summer at intervals of ten or 

 fifteen days, in order to keep the roots in active growth as 

 long as possible. In the second summer watering may 



XI 



