150 PEACH CULTURE. 



bud, and train the latter for the main shoot. In the latter 

 case, care must be taken to pinch in the twigs below, and 

 on the opposite side, in order to throw more strength in 

 to the leader. 



At the end of the season, if all things have been con- 

 ducive, the shoots will have made a uniform growth of 

 well matured wood, of from four to six feet respectively. 

 The next spring this should be cut in about one-half, as 

 shown by the cross-lines in figure 22. It may be done in 

 the fall, and often is, but we do not advise it. 



The next spring, the second season's training begins by 

 leaving one only of the numerous buds which shoot out 

 near the top of the main stem, and rubbing off all the 

 others. This bud will grow rapidly, and soon develop a 

 stout, thrifty shoot. This is to be trained vertically. If 

 its growth be very rapid, it may be checked, as occasion 

 requires, by inclining it towards the horizon ; or it may 

 be shortened-in by pinching off the leading bud. In the 

 former case, care must be taken that it does not acquire 

 too much rigidity in its temporary position, as it is ulti,- 

 mately designed for the main stem, and should be both 

 healthy and handsome ; and in the latter, that the pinch- 

 ing in should not be too frequent or severe, lest the latent 

 buds of the next year be forced into premature develop- 

 ment. In the meantime, the branches already formed 

 must not be neglected. They will send forth numerous 

 lateral, as well as point, buds. Many of the former 

 should be rubbed off, in order that the strength of the 

 sap may be led into those that are needed, and all but one 

 of the latter. This one is to be preserved and trained for 

 an extension of the lateral branches of last year, respect- 

 ively, and is to be managed precisely as the vertical one, 

 above described, is for the extension of the main stem. 

 And all the gardener has to do during the second season 

 is to watch the development of these branches, and ter- 

 minal buds, gradually advancing into shoots, and preserve, 



