26 ORCHARD-HOUSES. 



it can be avoided, because the shoots often do not 

 ripen enough to form good wood-buds : and the 

 whole branch, though full of blossom, is lost the 

 following season for want of leaves to draw up 

 the sap. 



The trees should not be allowed to carry too 

 much fruit whilst young, or they will be weakened, 

 and the fruit be inferior in size and quality. The 

 first season twelve to fifteen will be quite enough 

 to bring to perfection; but they must not be 

 thinned to that number at once. As much fruit 

 drops during the process of stoning, they should 

 be thinned a second time when they are a little 

 bigger than marbles. Till the middle of June, 

 move the pots occasionally, to prevent the trees 

 rooting into the border ; after that time let them 

 remain quiet till the fruit is ripe. A few root- 

 lets in the soil below the pots will do good, but 

 if these become too strong, it is no advantage 

 to the fruit, and an injury to the tree when 

 required to be moved. Some of my finest Peaches 

 have been gathered from trees which have never 

 rooted through the pots. When the fruit is the 

 size of walnuts say the middle of June, give 

 them manure water once a-week not drainings 



