Gardening for Amateurs 



1003 



Fig. 1. Branch of Peach tree : a, To be 

 cut out. 6 6, To tie in. 



the wall. Then break up the bottom with 

 a fork. On this place the roughest of the 

 chopped turf 1 foot deep, treading it down 

 firmly, and next a layer of the best soil 

 6 inches deep, also made firm. Before the 

 tree is planted let the points of all the roots 

 be shortened, the strongest of them from 

 5 to 6 inches, and the smaller ones 2 to 

 3 inches only. Spread the roots at the 

 bottom of the hole evenly and regularly, 

 then place the soil on them, layer by layer, 

 until all roots have been covered. Tread 

 the soil firmly and give a good watering, 

 mulching the surface of the soil afterwards 

 with rotten manure 3 inches deep. 



Pruning. The first winter after planting 

 there will be no pruning to do, or afterwards 

 either if spring disbudding and summer 

 pruning have been properly seen to. The 

 branches of the young tree should be nailed 

 to the wall or tied to a wire trellis fastened 

 to the wall. The buds will break into 

 growth about the end of March, the flowers 



coming first. Whilst the trees are in flower, 

 once a day draw a soft brush over the flowers 

 when they are dry and the sun is shining. 

 This helps to disperse the pollen, and to 

 bring it in contact with the stigma of the 

 flower, thus ensuring a " set " of fruit. 



Disbudding. To understand this process 

 clearly is to be possessed of the key to the 

 whole matter of pruning the Peach. It is 

 the shoots of the previous year's growth that 

 produce the flowers and fruit, consequently 

 this year's shoots will bear next year's 

 fruit. They come, however, in such num- 

 bers that it is found necessary to remove 

 many of them in other words, to disbud. 



Fig. 2. Young Peach tree : Prune at c. 

 Triple bud shown at d. 



Fig. 3. Part of Peach tree : Showing 

 pruning of old shoots at e to make 

 room for young growths. 



