IO2 THE HOME ACRE. 



With this precaution, I am not sure but that fall 

 planting has the greater advantage, except when 

 the climate is very severe and subject to great 

 alternations. Plant with the same care and on the 

 same principles which have been already described. 

 If a careful system of pruning is to be adopted, 

 the trees may be set out twelve feet apart ; but if 

 they are to be left to grow at will, which I regret 

 to say is the usual practice, they should be planted 

 fifteen feet from each other. 



There are many good reasons why the com- 

 mon orchard culture of the peach should not be 

 adopted in the garden. There is no fruit more 

 neglected and ill-treated than the beautiful and 

 delicious peach. The trees are very cheap, usually 

 costing but a few cents each ; they are bought by 

 the thousand from careless dealers, planted with 

 scarcely the attention given to a cabbage-plant, 

 and too often allowed to bear themselves to death. 

 The land, trees, and cultivation cost so little that 

 one good crop is expected to remunerate for all 

 outlay. If more crops are obtained, there is so 

 much clear gain. Under this slovenly treatment 

 there is, of course, rapid deterioration in the stam- 

 ina of the peach. Pits and buds are taken from 

 enfeebled trees for the purpose of propagation, 

 and so tendencies to disease are perpetuated and 

 enhanced. Little wonder that the fatal malady, 



