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are grown here, chiefly because they can be grown very much more 

 cheaply in States farther south. It has been the experience of the 

 writer that these southern-grown trees are just as good for planting 

 in Massachusetts as those grown in the neighborhood. 



When the ground is all prepared and ready, the rows furrowed out 

 and the holes dug, the trees should be taken out of the soil where 

 they have been heeled in and prepared for planting. This prepara- 

 tion is made by cutting them back Avith the pruning shears. All 

 broken and stragghng roots should be first cut off. Some growers 

 now practise cutting all the main roots back to a length of 3 or 4 

 inches. Perhaps this is going a trifle too far, but at any rate one need 

 not take the trouble of digging wide holes in order to plant out very 

 long roots; it is just as well to cut them back a reasonable amount. 



There is room for a greater difference of opinion concerning the 

 best pruning for the top of a peach tree about to be planted. Three 

 methods may be mentioned: (1) all the branches may be cut back 

 to a length of four or five inches; (2) all the branches may be cut 

 off close to the main stem, leaving a straight whip ; (3) all the branches 

 may be cut off, and the main stem cut back to any desired height^ 

 from 8 inches and upward. The writer very much prefers the method 

 last described, and would cut back the main stem to a height of not 

 more than 20 inches, preferably not more than 16 or 18 inches. This 

 looks like very severe treatment, since in many cases it would leave 

 less than one-fourth or one-eighth of the tree as it originally comes 

 from the nursery. Nevertheless, the results, as shown in the first 

 year's growth of the tree after planting, are always gratifying. A 

 tree cut back in this way throws out a few side shoots, usually sym- 

 metrically placed abut the trunk, and these make a very strong growth 

 during the first year. There is thus formed a fine framework upon 

 which to build the future fruit-producing structure. Peach trees, on 

 the other hand, which are planted out mthout this severe cutting 

 back, push into growth from a larger number of buds. Dozens or 

 even hundreds of new shoots start out, all of which make a weak 

 growth. There are no strong, vigorous arms formed, which may 

 become the framework of a permanent tree. Of course a great deal 

 depends upon the future management of the peach tree top, but a 

 good deal also depends on beginning right. 



Planting Distances. 

 The proper distance apart for planting peach trees depends more 

 or less on circumstances, especially on the system of culture and 

 pruning which is to be adopted. If the trees are to be rigorously 

 headed back, they may be safely planted at a distance of 12 feet apart, 

 or even 10 feet. If they are to be allowed to grow without heading 

 in, they should be planted 20 feet apart, especially if the soil is naturally 

 rich. There is often a good deal of unnecessary argument over this 

 question of planting distance. The question is really not one to be 



