FRUITS 31 



soil should be moderately rich, quite sweet, free 

 sandy loam and thoroughly well-drained. The 

 roots must never be where there is stagnant 

 moisture, yet they must be kept watered till the 

 time, whether growing, blooming, or fruiting. In 

 planting, keep the collar of the trees high, spread 

 the roots out well and near the surface, and make 

 and keep the soil quite firm. The young shoots 

 must be thinned out severely during spring and 

 summer, leaving them at a distance of six inches 

 apart, as they must not be crowded, or they will not 

 bear fruit. If the knife is used, much gumming 

 and canker will follow. 



The fruit should be thinned out to six inches 

 apart if it sets thickly, and the blossoms ought to 

 be protected from cold winds and frost while ex- 

 panded and setting ; some thin tiffany over at night 

 is a good preventative. 



Mulching the roots with stable manure during 

 the summer months, with a slight top dressing of 

 soot, is very necessary. 



The best varieties are : — Elrouge, very delicious 

 flavour ; Pitmaston Orange, very juicy and sweet ; 

 Violette Hative, very good indeed ; Roman, full 

 flavoured and very large. 



Nectarines are very seldom eaten in any other 

 way than in their natural state ; if dressed, anyway 

 in which peaches are prepared would be preferred. 



PEACHES 



Peaches require a dry subsoil, and the borders 

 must neither be very deep, damp, nor rich. The 

 soil should not exceed two feet, and must be well 



