On the Management of Peach Trees. 205 



bright russet all over the surface : Stem, rather short, about 

 half an inch in length, moderately stout, and obliquely in- 

 serted without any cavity, with a slight projection on one 

 side : Eye, medium size, open, and set nearly even with the 

 surface of the crown : segments of the calyx stiff, and slightly 

 reflexed : Flesh, yellowish, coarse, melting and juicy : Flavor, 

 rich and sugary, with a peculiarly high and delicious aroma : 

 Core, small, slightly gritty : Seeds, small, slender, and point- 

 ed at each end. Ripe from January to March. 



Art. II. On the Management of Peach Trees. By R. B. 



Leuchars. New Haven, Conn. 



{jContinued frotn p. 174.) 



The most proper period of the year, to perform the opera- 

 tion of root-pruning, is undoubtedly immediately on the fall 

 of the leaves. I have root-pruned trees, as late as the begin- 

 ning of March, successfully ; but the months of October and 

 November, experience has taught me, to be decidedly the best 

 time. Choose mild dry weather for the purpose. Proceed by 

 digging out a trench eighteen inches wide, and two feet deep, 

 and two, three, or four feet from the stem ; the distance must 

 always be regulated according to the size of the tree, and the 

 nature of its roots ; for instance, if the root consists of two or 

 three main limbs, without any small roots or fibres near the 

 stem, then the distance must be greater ; in all cases, the 

 small roots and spongelets must be spared. Having dug the 

 required depth, you will be able to see the nature of the hori- 

 zontal roots, and you may go closer to the stem, if necessary. 

 Cut in right under the mass, severing every root, as you pro- 

 ceed ; cut all the ends, near the tree, with a sharp knife that 

 they may the more speedily heal. Let it be borne in mind, that 

 root-pruning does not consist in tearing or hacking the roots 

 off with a spade or pickaxe. The roots of a tree are nothing 

 more nor less than underground branches, as essentially so 

 as those that are growing in the atmospheric medium, and 

 ought to be pruned quite as carefully. If the tree be large, 

 undermine it first on one side, filling up with good fresh loam; 



