86 PEACH CULTURE. 



of fruit that were planted in the fall of 1867. They are, 

 however, all of one variety, Hale's Early, which is re- 

 markable for its early bearing as well as its early ripen- 

 ing, but many of these will yet fall off before full ma- 

 turity. Sometimes fruit will appear the second, and others 

 the third year. It is not generally desirable that trees 

 should bear when very young. It is injurious in two 

 ways. It weakens the tree itself in diverting the vital 

 forces from the formation of wood into the production of 

 fruit, oftentimes giving the tree a lasting tendency 

 to feebleness. At an early age neither the stem nor 

 the branches are able to bear a load of fruit, and they 

 often break down under its weight. The tree is thus 

 permanently injured both in usefulness and beauty. 



The sum of the matter is, that trees do sometimes bear 

 even the first year, which is to be regretted ; often the 

 second, which is not to be desired ; very often the third, 

 which is gratifying ; and nearly always the fourth, which 

 is to be expected and desired. 



When fruit appears the first year, it should be rubbed 

 off, in order to protect the tree. A single peach may 

 sometimes be left to gratify the enthusiastic planter. 

 The second year thrifty, vigorous trees may be allowed 

 to carry a dozen. The third year, two or tree times as 

 many. The fourth, whatever they produce. 



