wide distribution not only in California, but throughout 

 the length and breadth of the Pacific slope. For size, flavor, 

 color and shipping qualities the peaches grown in this State 

 have a national reputation. The tree prefers a light, deep, 

 sandy loam, preferably inclined to be dry rather than too 

 moist, but well drained. It should be not less than three 

 or four feet deep, the more depth the better. 



A typical Two-Year- 

 Old Peach Tree in one of 

 our orchards. The view 

 was taken in August. 



This tree was cut back 

 to a point on a line with 

 the man's belt in Janu- 

 ary. This is the kind of 

 pruning that makes per- 

 fect trees and rich, lus- 

 cious fruit. 



The general cultural directions for the handling of de- 

 ciduous fruit trees in the introductory chapters should be 

 closely followed in the case of the peach tree. Nothing will 

 bring a peach tree to a premature end quicker than not to 

 prune. The trees as they stand in nursery rows have the 

 limbs removed to a point about 12 inches from the ground. 

 Instead of removing all these limbs when topping the tree 

 at 20 inches, they should be cut back to about two inches 

 long, so in case the buds on the main body do not start 

 in the spring, the buds and smaller branches will. If the 

 buds do start on the main body, the branchlets may be 

 clipped off with a shear. This Is a very important point, par- 

 ticularly with peach trees, and if followed by planters gen- 

 erally would in many cases obviate the necessity of growing 

 a new stem, -where the buds happen to be blind and fail to 

 start out at the proper height from the ground. From three 

 to five branches should form the head of the tree, and these 

 should be cut back to 12 inches the first winter after planting, 



The same tree pruned 

 six months later, to in- 

 duce compactness, a vase 

 shaped form, and a frame 

 work capable of carry- 

 ing a heavy crop evenly 

 distributed over the en- 

 tire tree. 



1i 



