l62 THE CULTIVATION OF THE 



Question 5. When early frost ripens the foliage, I 

 think the bud or germs are injured ; when foliage ripens 

 and falls after the bud is matured, there is no danger of 

 fall injury. Peaches are seldom killed in winter or 

 spring ; more often in fall. 



Question 6. Six degrees above zero is a danger 

 point, below that, unless very dry, fatal. 



Question 7. At the time the young peaches shed 

 the bloom or cap formed by the blossom, it is very 

 tender, and a light frost may, at that period, be fatal. 

 We have two " Sheds," the first, when the tree has 

 formed all the buds. The second or "June shed," is 

 when the stone is formed and hardening. Then the 

 tree casts all it cannot mature. 



Question 8. Peach orchards should be ploughed 

 very early, as the fibrous roots are more or less injured 

 by the plough. I would plough 8 inches deep in the 

 middle, and shoal with a single plough up to the trees. 

 Then keep orchard clean with an orchard cultivator. 



Question 9. Leached wood-ashes, at any price, are 

 the very best fertilizer. A barn shovel-full about the 

 crown of each tree. 



Question 10. A good time as any is to prune as 

 you pick the fruit. Cut out everything if dead, although 



