54 PEACH CULTURE. 



MARKING. 



This is an important, although an oft-neglected or ill- 

 performed, part of the work. On it, however, depends 

 the reputation of the nurseryman as well as the success 

 and satisfaction of the planter. Every precaution should 

 be taken to insure complete certainty of the kind in each 

 row. Having had but one kind of buds on hand at a 

 time, and after throwing away whatever of that kind may 

 be left, when all wanted have been budded, the next thing 

 is to properly and permanently distinguish and designate 

 the particular variety in each row. We know of no bet- 

 ter way than this : Procure at the saw-mill or lumber-yard 

 a sufficient quantity of what is commonly called shin- 

 gling lath, oak is best, but any kind of wood will do. 

 The stakes are to be three feet long, and the lath, for the 

 sake of economy, should be twelve feet long, which is a 

 very common and desirable length. It should be from 

 two and a half to three inches wide, and from three- 

 quarters of an inch to one inch thick, but these dimen- 

 sions are not essential. When the lath has been sawed 

 into pieces three feet long, and pointed at one end so as 

 to be easily driven into the ground, one of the faces of 

 each piece should be either shaved or planed smooth, a 

 distance of one foot from the top, in order that it may be 

 the better marked at the proper time. The stakes may 

 now be marked altogether, or they may be marked as 

 they are set in the ground. We prefer the former, 

 for the reason that it can be the better done, and may 

 then be done by one man ; and the proprietor himself, 

 or a reliable overseer, should attend to this in person, 

 and not leave it to careless or uninterested persons. It 

 may be well done with red lead, or a heavy black lead 

 pencil, or with paint or printers' ink. The aim should 

 be to obtain a clear and permanent mark ; one that can 

 be easily read, and one that will not fade. 



