THE PEACH AND NECTARINE. 151 



well-ripened shoots. See that the union with the 

 stock is perfect and free from gumming, and the stem 

 healthy and growing -like, having no sign of being 

 bark-bound. 



PLANTING. 



The border and trees being in readiness, the opera- 

 tion of planting is a very simple one. The first thing 

 to decide is the distance at which the trees are to be 

 planted. I am averse to thick planting for permanent 

 trees. To restrict a peach-tree planted in a good 

 peach-border is very unadvisable. They should have 

 plenty of room to develop themselves. For a peach- 

 house wall 36 feet long, two standard trees on the 

 back are quite sufficient, thus planting them 9 feet 

 from each end of the house. On the front trellis 

 other two dwarfs are enough. Should it be an object 

 to get as much fruit as possible in a short time, a tem- 

 porary tree may be planted, one between the two per- 

 manent ones and one at each end, to be removed as 

 the two permanent trees require the space. In the 

 case of the front trellis, the temporary trees should be 

 standards so as to clothe the upper part of the trellis 

 for the time being. Before planting them, carefully 

 examine the roots, and shorten back a little any that 

 are gross and strong, and cut away all bruised or 

 broken parts. Turn back the soil sufficiently to allow 

 the roots to be stretched fully and regularly out on the 

 surface. Place the boles of the trees so that they will 

 be three to four inches clear of the back wall and the 

 front trellis-work, so that they may have plenty of 

 room to swell without pressing on the wall or trellis. 

 Cover the roots carefully with the finer portion of the 

 soil to the depth of 6 inches, making it rather firm. 



