MAR.] BEACHES. 357 



on the lower branches should be cut back to two or 

 three buds, that the trellis may be furnished from 

 the bottom with young wood. The shoots on the 

 upper or farther extended branches, may be short- 

 ened back to half, or one-third of their lengths, 

 according to their strength, provided they have been 

 well ripened, and are free from canker ; but if the 

 tree be anywise diseased, let them be cut so far back 

 as to get rid of the cankered or mildewed part. I 

 mention this as a matter of precaution, but would 

 rather advise that no diseased tree be planted, un- 

 less of a particular kind, that cannot be easily ob- 

 tained. 



The riders need not be headed so much in as the 

 dwarfs; the object being rather to throw them into 

 a bearing state, than to cause them push very 

 strong shoots, which would not be fruitful. If they 

 make moderately strong shoots, and if these be well 

 ripened in autumn, agocd crop maybe expected on 

 them next year. 



Let the young shoots be laid in, as they advance, 

 at the distance of about nine inches from each 

 other : that is, of the dwarfs. Those of the riders 

 may be laid in considerably closer, it not being in* 

 tended they shall grow so vigorously as those of the 

 dwarfs. In other respects, observe the rules laid 

 down for the summer pruning and training of 

 peaches and nectarines, in the Fruit Garden for 

 June, July, and August. 



The plants should be freely supplied with water 

 at the root throughout the season, in order to pro- 

 mote their growth, and the engine must be applied 



