206 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



naked, or useless shoots; thus presenting at all times a 

 well-balanced tree. 



The inference is, that these weakly shoots, by being thus 

 elevated, grow stronger ; and the branches, by being annu- 

 ally bent in alternate years, become more fruitful on the 

 principles before explained. Girdling increases the size, 

 and hastens the maturity of the fruit ; it should be per- 

 formed as soon as the tree comes into leaf. Its effects, 

 though surprising, are ultimately ruinous to the branch on 

 which the operation is performed ; yet it may be sometimes 

 advantageously performed on alternate branches of the 

 same tree in alternate years. And there are, I believe, 

 certain cases, where a single crop of very early fruit will 

 very far exceed the value of the tree. 



M. Noisette, according to Mr. Neill, against one piece 

 of low wall, places his peach trees, five feet asunder, and 

 trains them all obliquely, and in one direction, at an 

 angle of 45. The growth of wood being thus restrained, 

 the fruitfulness is promoted, and the tree falls suddenly 

 into bearing, and bears abundantly. 



NECTARINE. (Amygddus Nectarina.) 



The nectarine has been assigned to Persia ; it only 

 differs from the peach in possessing a very smooth and 

 glossy skin, and a pulp of a finer consistence. The French 

 consider the nectarine (Peche lisse) as one and the same 

 fruit as the peach. It is esteemed, however, by some, more 

 wholesome and delicious. According to some authorities, 

 its name is derived from nectar, which was supposed to be 

 the favorite liquor which inspired the heathen gods. 



I. 



FREESTONE NECTARINES. 



1. AROMATIC. Lindley. 



A middle-sized fruit, inclining to globular; deep red or 

 blackish brown next the sun ; the flesh pale straw, but red 



