PERSIC A, PEACH TREE. 61 



I start to search for worn out branches, which are easy to recognize because they're thin & 

 have formed poor shoots. I cut off the worn out branch at the point where it emerges from 

 the large branch, unless it has put out a good branch further along it. I cut it back above 

 that point if there's nothing nearby to fill the space. I then go to the present year's 

 branches, & if any big ones have emerged I remove all of them. By big branches I mean 

 all those that are greater than average size. I likewise remove all the small ones, unless I 

 need one to fill in a space or for some other use. In that case I prune it where its thickness 

 is about the width of a one-crown coin. I always make an exception for small flower 

 clusters. 



"Having completed this initial pruning, only the branches that are equal in 

 strength remain. It's at that point that I see my job clearly. In the end I have to do no more 

 than adjust their quantity, & here's my rule for that: I leave only one of all those that have 

 grown out from the branch that I had pruned the previous year. I leave the lowest one 

 because it's always a good one due to the precautions that I took while nipping the buds. 

 Those who haven't already performed this procedure will select the best of the lowest 

 ones. 



"After this second adjustment I turn to the third one which is to prune these 

 branches. At this point I check to see if my tree filled out a lot during the previous year, 

 & what kind of tree it is. Depending on these two conditions, I'll shorten or lengthen my 

 pruning. If my tree is very full I'll manage it carefully. And if for example it's a 

 Madeleine or a Violette, I'll let it fill out more since these trees are more vigorous than 

 the others. But if it's any other type of tree, & if it hasn't been worn out by its burden, I 

 lengthen my pruning up to eight inches if space permits. But if I find that my space is 

 restricted 



