of Peach Trees in Pots. 245 



shift the plants into the large pots ; turn them out of those they 

 were budded in, and, placing them in the large size, fill up round 

 the balls of earth and roots with the compost, giving the pot 

 several hard knocks, to settle it well ; finish with a good water- 

 ing, and place the plants in a half shady situation for a few days, 

 at the end of which period they may be removed to the warmest 

 part of the garden, and if there is plenty of room, the pots may 

 be plunged in the ground, which will save considerable labor. 

 Liquid manure should be applied, at least once a week, and its 

 effect upon the plants will be quickly perceived. They will 

 soon make a vigorous growth, and, in the course of a few weeks, 

 if the main stem does not branch out of itself, it should be pinched 

 off, so as to make it throw out laterals ; a sufficient number of 

 these should be retained to form a handsome head, and the re- 

 mainder rubbed off. Throughout the summer they will require 

 no other attention than watering and occasional inspection of the 

 plants, to see that they are in a healthy condition. 



Upon the approach of severe weather, the pots should be re- 

 moved to the cellar, as in the first season. It is immaterial, at 

 this age of the plants, whether the frost penetrates or not, provided 

 it is free from dampness ; they will not, in such a situation, need 

 any care until spring ; and if the soil is dry, it may be allowed to 

 freeze hard the winter through, and the pots will not be broken, 

 nor any injury done to the trees. Whenever it is wished to ex- 

 cite the buds in the spring, the pots must be removed to a proper 

 place, which may be in the green-house, grapery, or pit, or, in 

 the want of either of these, a warm room. Give the soil in the 

 pots a good watering when they are taken from the cellar. 



The management of the trees differs in different situations, and 

 according to the earUness of the season in which they are ex- 

 cited into a growing state. Thus, in stoves in the months of 

 January or February, it would be rather difficult to set the fruit, 

 and a considerable knowledge of forcing would be required, to 

 ensure the certainty of a crop ; but later in the season, in March 

 or April, when the object is only to assist nature in her opera- 

 tions, rather than to force her, no more care is necessary to en- 

 sure an abundant supply of fruit, than is given to the ordinary 

 plants of the garden. Indeed, if water is duly supplied, the trees 

 set in an airy place and properly pruned, we do not know that 

 there is any obstacle in the way of the cultivator. We shall, 

 therefore, at this time, confine our remarks to their treatment, 

 which is very simple, when the latter object is in view. 



Pruning. — In pruning trees in pots some care is requisite : 

 cut out all the superfluous branches, in the centre of the tree, and 

 also head ofi' all the very strong shoots — as the finest fruits are 

 produced on the middling sized branches. Always prune with 

 an eye to the succeeding years wood and crop, and not let the 



