FLOWER AND LEAF-BUDS. 25 



be symbols of long life. They arc in consequence profusely 

 used as ornaments on their walls, and even on furniture. 

 Porcelain peaches are appropriate presents on the New Year. 

 The peach has also the valuable quality of being an antidote 

 against evil or low spirits ; but the brown peach, though beau- 

 tiful, is the cause of sin and death. 



Probably some allusion is here meant to the wide-spread 

 tradition of Eve's offence; more especially, as one variety 

 called "Yu" renders the eater thereof immortal. So much 

 for oriental opinions. With respect to details in peach train- 

 ing, these have had the share of attention from many quar- 

 ters. But before entering into them, I must quote Lindley's 

 words respecting the formation of flower and of leaf-buds; 

 which are so explanative, and, I hope, agree so completely 

 with what follows, that it will be useful to record them here. 

 "Physiologists know that whatever tends to cause a rapid 

 diffusion of the sap and secretions of any plant, causes also 

 the formation of leaf-buds instead of flower-buds ; while an 

 accumulation of these fluids produces flower-buds. In a leaf- 

 bud the leaves are highly developed, and their axis has a ten- 

 dencij to elongate as soon as stimulated by heat and light. In 

 a flower-bud the leaves are in an imperfect state, (which is 

 called calyx, corolla, stamens and pistil) and the axis has no 

 tendency to elongate. Hence a flower-bud is a contracted 

 branch. It is, therefore, easy to be seen that so long as the 

 fluids of a tree circulate rapidly, and without interruption^ 

 only leaf-buds (i. e. undeveloped branches) can be formed. 

 But if the motion of the fluids be languid, and the parts are 

 formed slowly, flower-buds, which are contracted by nature, 

 and have no disposition to elongate, only will appear." 



For these reasons, most sound as they are, the Diagonal 

 Cordon, which is now to be described, appears the best adapt- 

 ed to unite the conditions of fertility with due attention to 

 the necessity of extension. In other words, this cordon 

 grows and bears well. As will be seen, the term "Diagonal" 

 means leaders — one or more, but generally tliree — trained 

 against walls at an angle of 65 degrees during the first year, 



