THE VINEYARD AND ORCHARD. 107 



within reach, and less liable to be blown off by 

 high winds. Gradually, however, if the trees prove 

 healthful, they will get high enough up in the 

 world. 



Notwithstanding the rigorous pruning recom- 

 mended, the trees will often overload themselves ; 

 and thinning out the young peaches when as large 

 as hickory nuts is almost imperative if we would 

 secure good fruit. Men of experience say that 

 when a tree has set too much fruit, if two thirds of 

 it are taken off while little, the remaining third 

 will measure and weigh more than would the entire 

 crop, and bring three times as much money. In 

 flavor and beauty the gain will certainly be more 

 than double. 



Throughout its entire growth and fruiting life 

 the peach-tree needs good cultivation, and also a 

 good but not over-stimulated soil. Well-decayed 

 compost from the cow-stable is probably the best 

 barn-yard fertilizer. Wood-ashes are peculiarly 

 agreeable to the constitution of this tree, and tend 

 to maintain it in health and bearing long after 

 others not so treated are dead. I should advise 

 that half a peck be worked in lightly every spring 

 around each tree as far as the branches extend. 

 When enriching the ground about a tree, never 

 heap the fertilizer round the trunk, but spread 

 it evenly from the stem outward as far as the 



