321 [ THE PEACH AND THE NECTARINE 



and nectarine to produce spreading or recumbent 

 branches is accentuated and the vase-shape is then almost 

 natural to the tree, and these lower or spreading branches 

 being moderately vigorous and within easy reach of the 

 radiating heat of the soil, are invariably well laden with 

 fruit 



The peach has a tendency to form too many twigs, 

 many of which die in the course of the winter and others 

 have to be thinned out to keep up the vigour of the tree. 

 This is what may be called the cleaning operation of 

 winter, and is too often neglected with the result that the 

 tree becomes old and comparatively unproductive as soon 

 as it has reached full size. The dry twigs if allowed to 

 remain will lacerate the leaves and damage the fruit 

 whenever a wind is blowing, and the dense foliage 

 resulting from an excessive number of twigs consumes 

 the vigour of the tree to no purpose, and fosters the 

 growth of injurious pests. The inner branches and lower 

 spurs of the trees which are too shaded by thick vegeta- 

 tion or have ceased to be productive, should be removed 

 at the same time and . the tree trimmed to shape, by 

 keeping within just limits the natural tendency of the 

 branches to assume a straggling or drooping habit. All 

 wounds caused by the removal of branches along the 

 main stems should be painted over with tar, not only to 

 check gumming which in a healthy tree may be of little 

 consequence, but also for the more important object of 

 preventing access to the spores of dry-rot fungi. 



Old trees which have been neglected for a long time 

 may be rejuvenated by pollarding. The operation should 

 be done towards the close of autumn or early in winter, 

 so that the tree may have full time to elaborate the 

 dormant buds, which will then push out in spring without 

 much difficulty. Pollarding should be done on branches 

 2 to 5 c.m. in thickness, in order that the wound may not 

 be too large to heal. The cut is made in a slightly 

 slanting direction, and the operation is completed by 



