OLD METHOD. 65 



which relates to the management of the spurs 

 and shoots. 



As we are now treating of peach trees, of 

 course the upper shoots must be trained like 

 those on the upper sides of the Diagonal leaders, 

 and the lower shoots like those on the lower side 

 of these leaders. The branches to be shortened 

 by one-third yearly, and when older, by one- 

 fourth, and finally by one-sixth of their length ; 

 the main stem encouraged fairly to grow. An 

 interval of twelve inches is sufficient between 

 each stage of branches, while, in old methods, 

 eighteen or twenty were needed for the enormous 

 shoots to bear their solitary peach. Of course 

 the crop in fruit ought to be doubled, and would 

 be but for fear of sacrificing the tree. 



But how long time it takes to reach the top of 

 a ten or twelve-foot wall we all know well enough, 

 and when there, the tree is beginning to decay. 

 A system valueless for such splendid fruit. For 

 pear trees, which last longer, it will do well 

 enough, but the Diagonal Cordon is far superior, 

 even for peaches under the glass of a forcing 

 peach-house. If then it be desired to reduce 

 peach trees, trained on some queer old method, 

 to the newer plans, the shoots must be pinched 

 in, and cut off by degrees till the spur with two 

 shoots thereon is reached. Then some strong 

 shoots should be selected to fill up the blanks 

 between the branches, and laid in to the wall, 



F 



