140 FRUIT-GARDENING. 



mer pruning is essential to the well-being of a tree, as by 

 shortening the wood of the preceding year's growth, a symme- 

 trical tree containing a good supply of bearing-wood may be 

 formed. By this treatment the longevity of a tree will be 

 promoted, provided the work is done with judgment and care, 

 so as not to render the tree impervious to the influence of the 

 sun and air ; for, be it remembered, the head of a tree must 

 always be kept moderately open, for the purpose of giving 

 the fruit the best possible chance of ripening perfectly. 



Divest young budded and grafted trees of all shoots from 

 the stocks, below the bud or graft, as they appear ; also rub 

 off all useless buds in early-shooting wall trees. 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEACHES. 



FREESTONE PEACHES. 



ASTOR. An excellent variety, originating in the city of New 

 York ; the fruit is above medium size ; skin pale yellow, with 

 red cheek ; flesh melting and pleasant flavored ; juice sweet 

 and plentiful ; ripe the latter end of August and early in Sep- 

 tember. 



BEERS'S RED RARERIPE, Middletown Late Red Rareripe. 

 Fruit very large, of oblong shape ; skin nearly white, with a 

 red cheek ; flesh firm, juicy, and high flavored. This variety 

 originated with Joseph Beers of Middletown, New Jersey ; it 

 ripens there from the middle to the end of September, and is 

 represented as a good market fruit. 



BELLE DE VITRY, Admirable Tardive, Bellis, Beauty of Vitry 

 A large fruit, of fine red color next the sun ; on the opposite 

 side a yellowish white ; flesh white, stained with red at the 

 stone ; firm, juicy, sweet, vinous, and excellent ; ripe early in 

 September. 



BELLEGARDE, Galande, Violette Hative, Noire de Montreuil. 

 Smooth-Leaved Royal George of some. The tree is vigorous 



