148 r PEACH CULTURE. 



be constantly striving to restore the equilibrium so re- 

 cently destroyed by cutting off the top. On the preserva- 

 tion of these shoots from injury, and their proper training, 

 much depends the beauty and fruitfulness of the future 

 tree. As soon as they become a foot long, they should be 

 inclined towards the trellis, and it may be proper to tie 

 them to small stakes set for that purpose. When they 

 reach eighteen inches or two feet, they may be tied to the 

 trellis; and care must be taken, subsequently, to tie them 

 up as their length increases, to prevent their being broken 

 off, or taking a crooked shape. These shoots, or branches, 

 must not be allowed to grow either horizontally or verti- 

 cally, but at a proper angle between the two. If drawn 

 out horizontally, they will continually send out lateral 

 shoots from the upper side, in a vertical direction, which 

 will have to be rubbed off, or defeat the end entirely. If 

 rubbed off, new ones will be continually taking their 

 places, and the cultivator will find himself engaged in a 

 constant warfare against nature. If not rubbed off, they 

 will soon cover the entire surface, and as effectually frus- 

 trate his design. The first aim is to form a handsome 

 tree, capable of producing the largest practicable amount 

 of good fruit on a given surface. In direct furtherance 

 of this, these four primary branches are to be trained. 

 And the second aim is to so direct, balance, and train 

 them, that each shall contribute its full share towards 

 forming the complete tree. This should never be lost 

 sight of. The natural direction of the main stem is verti- 

 cal, and the natural flow of the sap upward. Hence it is 

 that top buds are best supplied with sap, and uppermost 

 branches draw most strength from the roots. But in this 

 artificial training, this natural tendency must be checked 

 and controlled ; and the first care of the skillful gardener 

 is to so dispose these branches that uniformity of size and 

 strength may be attained. In order to do so, it is plain 

 the lower branches ought to have a more vertical inclina* 



