CH. 7-] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 155 



is to be performed with great care and 

 nicety. Seledl what buds on each fhoot 

 it may be thought neceflary to leave, and 

 rub off the reft with the finger. Thofe 

 to be left are generally the uppermoft and 

 undermoft, and fometimes one or two 

 about the middle of the fhoot ; which 

 laft fhould be left in an alternate manner. 

 A wood-bud is frequently placed by the 

 fide of, or between two fruit; in difpla- 

 cing of which, be careful not to injure 

 them. 



By the timely performance of this duty, 

 much future trouble in pruning may be 

 fpared ; and much better, and more vi- 

 gorous fhoots for the production of a crop 

 the following feafon may be obtained, 

 than when the flrength of the tree is ex- 

 haufted in the produce of fuperfluous 

 growth, afterwards to be deftroyed. 



When the fruit begins their laft fwell- 

 ing, let them be expofed to the free adion 

 of the fun and air, by picking off every 

 le'af that overhangs them. And, when 

 the leaves begin to drop, aid this effort 

 of nature by iwitching off the leaves gent- 

 ty, from time to time : an operation more 



neceflary 



