PEACHES AND NECTARINES WALL ASPECTS SOIL. 67 



OUTDOOR CULTIVATION. 



Wall Aspects. North of 53 north, latitude, peach and nectarine trees require a wall 

 with a due south aspect. The situation must be sheltered on the east and round by 

 the north to the west. This is absolutely essential. Elevation and exposure are also 

 important factors in peach and nectarine culture. Low sites tend to late growth and 

 immaturity of the wood, rendering it liable to be damaged by frost in winter, and 

 the blossoms to be destroyed in spring ; but whilst elevation tends to harden the 

 wood the diminution of temperature renders the cultivation of these fruits precarious 

 in the north, where the altitude above sea-level much exceeds 150 feet. 



South of 53 north latitude, walls facing due east or west, and not much exposed 

 to winds or fogs, nor exceeding 150 feet above sea-level, may have peach and nectarine 

 trees planted against them with every prospect of success, and in the warmer parts of 

 the country up to 250 feet. The trees, however, on east aspects are liable to attacks of 

 mildew, and those against west walls have a tendency to late growth and moderate 

 bearing. South-east aspects are better than east, and south-west superior to west. 

 South walls and efficient protection enable cultivators to produce fine peaches and 

 nectarines in the southern parts of the country up to 375 feet above sea-level. 



Soil. The plum, on which peaches and nectarines are established, is a surface- 

 rooting tree ; consequently the soil requires to be of a substantial nature and stored with 

 abundant mineral elements, namely potash, magnesia, and lime, also phosphoric acid. 

 Light soils are deficient in potash, and the fruit of the peach contains more of this 

 element than does any other fruit. Open-air peach and nectarine cultivation appears to 

 be a lost art in too many gardens, but where due regard is had to the root requirements 

 and the prevention of insects, the blossom being also adequately protected, as fine fruit 

 is produced by trees against walls now as in former days. Insect infestations, arresting 

 growth in the spring, and over-crowding of the shoots in summer are undoubtedly the 

 cause of many failures. 



Almost any open, loamy soil can be made to produce peaches and nectarines. 

 Special borders are often very expensive and, though the top 3 inches of a pasture may 

 effect wonders for a time, the medium lacks durability, and the trees fail prematurely. 

 Properly prepared natural soil containing a good percentage of stones, grit, and 

 loam to render it compact, is far better than the parings of an old pasture rich in 

 nitrogenous matter, but deficient in mineral ingredients. Eich soil, without root 

 restriction, promotes long-jointed, ill-ripened, and unfruitful wood. Light dry soil 



K2 



