JPEACH AND NECTARINE TREES. 233 



new shoot will push again after the lead was 

 stopped, when it has got about three inches 

 long, the end must be pinched off so as to 

 leave about half of that part which pushed 

 the last; this may be repeated as frequently 

 as required. 



The necessity for allowing the leading 

 shoot to grow until after the fruit is stoned 

 is, that it is very essential in contributing to 

 the stoning of it, but after the stoning is 

 effected, the shoot may with safety be short- 

 ened as directed. When a tree is in a weakly 

 condition the shortening of the leading- 

 shoots as here directed must always be at- 

 tended to, whatever length the shoots of the 

 last year's wood may be, the lowest shoots 

 will thereby be strengthened and matured, 

 also, whatever fruit there may be upon the 

 shoot of last year's wood, it will receive its 

 required support. 



All the shoots which are to remain and be 

 trained in at this regulation, may be secured 

 by placing small twigs across from branch 

 to branch, those shoots at the extremities of 

 the tree must be nailed in. At this second 

 regulation of the shoots the fruit must also 

 be looked over, and a suitable quantity ac- 

 cording to the condition of the tree must be 

 retained; a regular healthy tree to have one 

 fruit every six inches, and a very vigorous 

 or weakly one to have more or less in due 

 proportion. (See Chapter thinning stone fruit.) 



Hh 



