PERSIC A, PEACH TREE. 59 



Consequently a sucker shoot or a false wood branch about seven or eight feet long 

 sometimes can be pruned to three feet & even more, & the other branches 

 proportionately. But is there no risk at all that a tree pruned to such length won't 

 overextend & thin out? 1°. If the tree doesn't spread enough, we agree that it's been cut 

 short, cropped, or mutilated. If its spread is just right, why begrudge it & stand in the way 

 of its inclination to achieve that? 2°. It's rare that a strong shoot doesn't grow several 

 small branches along its length in the same year. The best ones can be trimmed & they 

 insure against gaps. If none at all grow out, bending the shoot down almost horizontally 

 will allow sap that normally would only penetrate it moderately to act upon most of its 

 buds & will open some of them. 



These observations, which we have alluded to elsewhere, are important for all 

 trees & especially for peach trees. We can't disregard them, in spite of our decision to not 

 discuss what we do ourselves about all aspects of tree management & to simply set forth 

 the practices of the best gardeners & some of the principles on which they appear to be 

 based. We've largely held to this resolve, only infrequently & reservedly offering our 

 own doubts, thoughts, or different practices & personal opinions. 



Method of M. de Combes. 



"Peach trees that are in their prime I call second stage trees; third stage trees are 

 those that are somewhat in decline. The latter can't be managed too carefully; they have 

 to be pruned hard & only on the best branches. The small ones absolutely should not be 

 saved, because on old stock they only yield meager fruit. 



