142 Pruning and 7 raining the Peach and Nectarine. 



fifteen feet wide ; and if the whole width of the gravel-walk 

 occupied a part of it, a great part of the objections to growing 

 vegetables upon it would in consequence be removed. The 

 bottom of the border should be made as much as possible im- 

 pervious to the roots of the tree, by beating it ; and if a clayey . 

 bottom, by beating into it fine gravel or lime rubbish, so as 

 to make it quite hard. It should be laid in a sloping direction 

 from the wall, with a drain in front, unless the substratum is 

 of a porous nature, to carry off any water that would other- 

 wise stagnate there. We will now suppose the border made, 

 and the tree planted. 



We will also suppose the tree to be a maiden plant, well 

 rooted, and in a healthy condition. Now let the gardener con- 

 sider what future character he wishes his tree to assume ; for 

 it is now in his power to give it what character he pleases : 

 and now he lays the foundation of his future tree. But let 

 him remember, it is absolutely necessary to have a plan, and 

 to understand the plan he commences with, or, ten to one, in 

 a few years his tree will cut a despicable figure ; and to the 

 many plans from which he may make his choice, permit me 

 to add the following : — The maiden plant is to be headed 

 down to four eyes, placed in such a manner as to throw out 

 two shoots on each side, thus: (Jig'^O.) v 40 

 The following season the two uppermost 

 shoots are to be headed down to three 

 eyes, placed in such a manner as to throw 

 out one leading shoot, and one shoot on each side ; the two 

 lowermost shoots are to be headed down to two eyes, so as to 

 throw out one leading shoot, and one shoot on the uppermost 

 side, thus : {Jig. 41.) We have 

 now five leading shoots on each 

 side, well placed, to form our 

 future tree. Each of these 

 shoots must be placed in the 

 exact position in which they are 

 to remain. As these shoots are 

 to form the leading character of the future tree, none of them 

 are to be shortened. The tree should by no means be suf- 

 fered to bear any fruit this year. Each shoot must now be 

 suffered to produce, besides the leading shoot at the extremity, 

 two other shoots on the uppermost side, one near to the bot- 

 tom, and one about midway the stem : there must also be one 

 shoot on the undermost side, placed about midway between 

 the other two. All the other shoots must be rubbed off in 



