458 THE PEACH. 



In short, we view this absence of all due care in the manage 

 ment of the peach tree, after it comes into bearing, as the princi. 

 pal original cause of its present short duration, and the disease 

 which preys upon it in many of the older parts of the country. 

 We therefore earnestly desire the attention of peach growers to 

 our brief hints upon a regular system of pruning this valuable 

 tree. Of course we speak now of common standard trees, in 

 the orchard or garden. 



A peach tree, left to itself after being planted, usually comes 

 into bearing the third or fourth year, and has a well shaped, 

 rounded head, full of small bearing branches, and well garnish- 

 ed with leaves. It must be borne in mind that the fruit is only 

 borne on the young shoots of the previous summer's growth. 

 In a young tree these are properly distributed throughout. 

 But in a couple of seasons, the tree being left to itself, the 

 growth being mostly produced at the ends of the principal 

 branches, the young shoots in the interiour of the head of the 

 tree, die out. The consequence is, that in a short time the in- 

 teriour of the tree is filled with long lean branches, with only 

 young shoots at their extremities. [See Fig. 209.] Any one 

 can see that such a tree can 

 be provided with but half the 

 number of healthy strong 

 shoots for bearing, that one 

 would have if filled through- 

 out with vigorous young wood. 

 The sap flows tardily through 

 the long and rigid branches, 

 and not half leaves enough 

 are provided to secure the 



proper growth of the fruit. Fig. 209. A peach tree, without pruning, 

 And, finally, all the fruit as commonly seen. 



which the tree yields being allowed to remain at the ends of 

 the branches, they often break under its weight. 



Now, we propose to substitute for this, what is generally 

 known as the shortening-in system of pruning. We affirm, 

 both from its constant success abroad, and from our own expe- 

 rience and observation in this country, ttfat putting its two dis- 

 eases out of the question, (which we will presently show how to 

 avert,) the peach may be continued in full vigour and produc- 

 tion in any good soil, for from ten to thirty years. 



Let us take a healthy tree in the orchard or garden, in its 

 first blossoming year. It is usually about 6 to 8 feet high, its 

 well-shaped head branching out about three feet* from the 



* We think low heads much preferable to high ones on many accounts. 

 They shade the root, which insects are therefore much less liable to attack, and 

 they are more within reach both for pruning and gathering. 



