312 



NECTARINE. 



plants, when judiciously used. Other remedies are recom- 

 mended to be applied for the destruction of these insects 

 around fruit trees, besides those previously mentioned ; as 

 dissolved potash, coal tar, sulphur and lime*-mortar mixed, 

 vinegar, soap suds, &c. Culture, upon correct principles, 

 will, however, in general operate not only as a radical cure, 

 but as a preventive to all defects in trees and plants ; which 

 to be healthy and productive, should be so managed that 

 the sap and nutrimental juices can circulate through every 

 pore which Nature has designed for their perpetuity. (See 

 article on the choice of Fruit Trees in the Nursery, page 259, 

 also article Peach.) 



The Nectarine is generally budded on stocks of the same 

 species, or on Peach or Plum, two or three years old. 

 Knight recommends growing Almond stocks for the finer 

 kinds of Nectarines -and Apricots, as likely to prevent the 

 mildew, and as being allied to the Peach. Dubreuil recom- 

 mends a Plum stock for clayey soils, and the Almond for 

 such as are light, chalky, or sandy. The same opinion is 

 held by the Montreal gardeners. The Flemish nurserymen 

 graft both the Peach and Nectarine on the Myrabella Plum, 

 a very small cherry-shaped fruit. 



The budding may be performed in July or August, in the 

 side of the stock, which will, if properly managed, shoot the 

 following Spring, and attain the length of three or four feet 

 the first year. " After the budded trees have ripened their 

 first year's shoots, they may either be planted where they 

 are to remain, or retained in the nursery for two, three, or 

 four years, till in a bearing state. Whether the plants be 

 removed into the orchard at a year old, or remain in the 

 nursery, the first shoots from the bud must be headed down 

 in a judicious manner, in order to promote the most desirable 

 form. In annual pruning, thin out superfluous branches and 

 dry wood, and shorten the bearing shoots. 



Nectarines may be trained to a close fence, or wall, in 

 private gardens ; in which case, such plants should be cho- 

 sen as are budded low. (See article Apricot) 



