No. 4.] PEACH CULTURE. 449 



these southern-grown trees are just as good for plautmg in Massachu- 

 setts 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 preparation, 

 is made by cutting them back with the pruning shears. All broken 

 and straggling roots should be first cut off. Some growers now prac- 

 tise cutting all the main roots back to a length of 3 or 4 inches. Per- 

 haps 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 symmetrically 

 placed about 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 structui'e. Peach trees, on the other 

 hand, which are planted out without 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 i^lanting 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 

 decided by itself; it is altogether relative, and is to be settled only 

 with reference to the system of management which is to be adopted 

 in the orchard. 



