282 THE PEACH. 



measurably improved. If this pruning is regularly ard 

 annually performed, the head of the tree will be preserved 

 in ail even, handsome, and compact shape, fig. 230, and in 

 a healthy and vigorous condition ; and it will become rarely 

 necessary to shorten and thin out the limbs by cutting back 

 the larger side-branches. 



The pruning may be performed with a hedge or long- 

 handled shears, or with nearly equal convenience by means 

 of a light standing ladder and a common pruning knife. 



Any cultivator who may doubt the value of shortening-in 

 the peach, need onl)^ to try the experiment for a few suc- 

 cessive years, on a tree standing side by side with one un- 

 pruned, to become fully convinced of its eminent advan- 

 tages.* 



Training the jpeach against walls and buildings, so essen- 

 tial to the successful culture of the peach in England, is 

 rarely practiced in this country. It would doubtless hasten 

 the maturit}' of the crop; but the warm exposure, would at 

 the same time, unless the branches were purposely protect- 

 ed, render the crop more liable to destruction by frost. Es- 

 palier training has been found to give excellent fruit, in 

 consequence of the thorough pruning and full exposure 



Fig. 231— First year. Fig. 232— Second year. Fig. 2-33- Third year. 



adopted in the management of the trees. Figs. 231, 232, 

 and 233, exhibit the fan training usually adopted in espalier 

 and wall t^aining, in its sucessive stages. 



To induce early bearing, shorten back one-third or one- 

 half the new shoots about midsummer, or a little sooner, 

 which, by lessening the growth of the leaves, tends to the 

 production of fruit buds. 



* Such varieties are apt to overbear, and^tcometo perfectiin at the north, as 

 the Heath Cling, are thinned of the crop ill the most easy and perfect manner by 

 cutting back the shoots. 



