THE PEACH. 235 



or frame-work of the vase. To favor the growth of these, 

 all the shoots produced below them are nibbed off. 



In order to give them the proper inclination, three 

 small stakes are inserted in the ground, to which the 

 three branches are fastened; it is supposed that if these 

 stakes be sunk as far from the base of the tree as the roots 

 extend, and in an upright position, there will be a 

 sufficient opening or space in the centre. The branches 

 should be thus brought out about August, so that the for- 

 mation of new layers of wood subsequent to that time 

 may fix them in their places. The side shoots, which are 

 produced on the young branches, towards the latter part 

 of the season, designated by the French 'bourgeons anticipes, 

 are pinched to one or two leaves. 



2d. Pruning. The spring following, the branches are 

 loosed from the stakes, and shortened to six or eight 

 inches of their base, to a leaf bud on the outside or front 

 of the branch, and with a bud below it, either on the right 

 or left side. The front bud continues the main branch, 

 and the side bud forms a secondary branch. The three 

 branches are pruned in this way, taking care that the 

 secondary branch on each is on the same side, so that two 

 of them cannot come in contact. To favor the growth of 

 these new shoots, all those situated below them that acquire 

 too much vigor, must be pinched at three or four leaves. 



A wooden hoop may now be placed in the centre, to 

 which the branches are attached to keep them in their 

 places. In this way the tree progresses ; every year one or 

 more secondary branches are produced, the main branches 

 increase in length, and fruit shoots are produced on all 

 the intervals of the branches, on their two sides. 



All shoots that push either inside or in front of the vase 

 are pinched off, and pinching is practised at all times to 

 maintain equal growth between the different parts, and to 

 check any too p'eat tendency of the sap to the extremities, 



