DISEASES AND INSECTS INJURIOUS. 267 



ground in the spring. Below this cut a certain number of shoots 

 will be produced, from which three will be selected to form the main 

 branches or frame- work of the head. All the others are rubbed off 

 when two or three inches long or sooner. At the end of the season 

 we have a tree with three branches. 



The second year these three branches are cut back full one half 

 their length, and from each we take a shoot to continue the branch, 

 and one to form a secondary branch. The other shoots produced 

 below these are pinched or checked to prevent them from interfering 

 with the growth of the leading branches. In the fall of the year we 

 have a tree with six leading branches, and some bearing shoots be- 

 low on the older wood. 



The third year each of these six branches is shortened one half, in 

 order to obtain more secondary branches, and some fruit branches 

 on the lower parts. All young shoots on the old wood, whether 

 fruit branches or not, should be cut back one half, or as far as may 

 be necessary, to cause the wood buds at their base to push, and 

 make shoots to bear next year. 



The formation of the head goes on as described for two or three 

 years more, when it is complete ; for peach trees, properly pruned, 

 do not assume such wide spreading forms as they do naturally. The 

 main branches and secondary branches should be at equal distances 

 throughout, and far enough apart to give the bearing wood on their 

 sides the full benefit of the sun and air. 



An equality of vigor should also be preserved amongst them by 

 summer pinching. It is not uncommon to see a very vigorous shoot 

 start up in a peach tree, and appropriate so much of the sap as to 

 injure a whole branch ; these should be checked the moment their 

 character is observed, unless they may be wanted to fill a vacancy. 

 Every part of the branches should be furnished with bearing shoots, 

 and these should, every spring, be shortened in one half or more, to 

 produce others at their base, whilst those that have borne are cut out." 



With the advice above, as well as of most writers, to shorten 

 back or prune the Peach in the Sprinff, we do not fully agree ; be- 

 lieving, rather, that if the operation be performed in September, it 

 will enable the tree to more fully perfect the remaining buds, and 

 fit it to endure changes of temperature during winter. 



Diseases and Insects injurious. The Curl of the Leaf. The first 

 - developed leaves, in the spring, often become diseased with a spongy 

 and malignant growth, exhibiting reddish blotches or swellings on the 

 upper side, that, after two or three weeks, causes them to fall off. " This 

 occurs at a period when the vigorous circulation of the sap requires a 

 corresponding action in those important organs. A second growth is 

 soon forced out, which ultimately restores the tree to its wonted force 

 and vigor. It is, however, evident, that though the recuperative 



