FRUIT-GARDENING. 135 



When it was introduced into Greece is uncertain. The best 

 Peaches in Europe are supposed to be grown in Italy, on stand- 

 ards. 



Although this fruit will thrive in any sweet, pulverized soil 

 that is properly prepared, a rich sandy loam is the most 

 suitable. Next to the selection and preparation of a suitable 

 soil, a choice of good healthy trees is of the utmost import- 

 ance. The seed for stocks should be selected from the vigor- 

 ous growing young, or middle-aged healthy trees; and the 

 buds should be taken from some of the choicest fruit-bearing 

 trees that can be found. Let the stocks be fairly tested before 

 they are budded ; and if any infection exist in the stocks, or 

 in the vicinity where the choice buds are found, reject them 

 if you wish to rear a healthy progeny ; as more depends upon 

 these particular points than many are aware of. 



BUDDING PEACH-TREES. 



In this country the Peach is generally budded on stocks of 

 its own kind ; but in England it is often budded on damask 

 Plum-stocks, and some of the more delicate sorts on Apricot 

 stocks, or old Apricot-trees cut down ; or on seedling Peaches, 

 Almonds, or Nectarines. (See article Nectarine.) Cobbett 

 says: "There are thousands of Peach-trees in England and 

 France that are fifty years old, and that are still in vigorous 

 fruitfulness." He attributes the swift decay of the Peach-trees 

 here to their being grafted on stocks of their kind. Mr. 

 Michael Floy, of the Harlem Nursery, makes the following 

 observations on this subject, which he says are the result of 

 thirty years' experience as a nursery-man in the vicinity of 

 New York : 



" In this country Peaches are generally budded on Peach- 

 stocks. Their growth is rapid, and they will form a tree 

 large enough to transplant from the nursery, the first and 

 second year after budding. Notwithstanding the rapid growth 

 of our peaches, and their coming to maturity so early, with 

 but little care and trouble, it must at the same time be admit- 



