u 



Wessons in Fruit Growing. 



tree is kept opea by cutting back 2 or 3 season's growth if 

 need be (Pigs. 31 and 32). The cutting back of the annual 

 growth is less essential when the peach is grown on light 

 than on heavy soils. 



Fig. 31. Young orchard peach tree before 

 pruning. (From Bailey's " Pruning Book.") 



Fig. 32. The same tree as Fig. 

 after pruning. 



119. Picking: and packing:. Peaches should not be 

 picked, as a rule, until they are full-grown and have begun 

 to assume their mature color, as they do not often color 

 perfectly after picking. " It is very difficult to describe 

 that period of maturity when a peach is ready for picking. 

 An experienced picker will take the fruit softly in his hands 

 and press the ball of his thumb very lightly upon the side, 

 and if the fruit has a somewhat springy feeling, it is ready 

 to take off the tree." » 



Peaches are often marketed in round-topped baskets with 



' Principles of Fruit Growing, Bailey, 383. 



