162 FRUIT TREES. 



The branch B is then to be cut at C, to preserve the 

 two buds D, which will then take a more favourable 

 form for developing the replacing shoots. 



When the proper time arrives, apply successively 

 pinching and the summer nailing; bearing in mind 

 at all times that when the branches accompanied by 

 the young fruits (fig. 142) have grown to six inches, 

 they must be pinched in order to favour the develop- 

 ment of replacing shoots at the base. 



Notwithstanding every care to keep the two sides of 

 the branches well furnished with fruit-branches, vacant 

 spaces will occur owing to the destruction of buds or 

 the decay of some of the fruit-branches. The best 

 way of filling up these vacancies is grafting by herba- 

 ceous approach (page 5), which may be done at the 

 time of summer nailing. 



The remaining operations of the second summer 

 relate to the fruit. 



The superabundance of fruit is a more serious evil 

 in regard to peach trees than to pephi fruits. When, 

 therefore, the fruit is too abundant, it will be necessary 

 to remove a certain number, leaving only half as many 

 peaches as there are fruit-branches. This thinning 

 must be made (when the fruit is about the size of a 

 large walnut) from the lower side of the branches and 

 lower part of the tree rather than from the upper. 



When the peaches have nearly attained their full 

 size, the leaves which shade them must be removed, 

 in order to allow them to attain their natural bloom 

 and colour; but the leaves must not be removed all 

 at once, but at two different times on cloudy days, so 



