THE HOME FRUIT GARDEN 



compiled by the Rev. C. C. Ellison, is of some interest as 

 showing the behaviour of certain Plums in a midland 

 garden. 



Peach and Nectarine. Both these need similar treat- 

 ment and may be considered together. They can be 

 grown against walls out of doors only in southern and 

 south midland or other comparatively mild counties, and 

 then walls facing west or south should be chosen. In 

 common with the Plum, the Peach and Nectarine appre- 

 ciate plenty of lime rubble dug into the soil before plant- 

 ing is carried out. The branches need to be carefully 

 trained in the shape of a fan, and to be about 4 inches 

 apart from each other. Pruning is comparatively simple 

 if one realises that the fruit is produced upon growths 

 of the previous year. When the fruits are gathered the 

 thing to do is to cut out as many of the old shoots as 

 there are fresh ones of the current summer's growth to 

 replace them. If the young shoots produce lateral or 

 side growths, as they often do, these should be cut out. 



The practice of disbudding is of much importance in 

 growing Peach and Nectarine trees. It consists in remov- 

 ing in spring and early summer some of the many super- 

 fluous little growths that make their appearance. These 

 should first of all be rubbed off so that only three remain 

 on each of the older branches, one at the base and one 

 at the top (these are of the first importance), and one in 

 or near the middle. In the course of another week or 

 ten days the middle growth may be removed also. The 



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