60 



THE FAEM. 



shoots. Now, when shoots begin to appear, rub them all off but three, 

 leaving the top one on each side at suitable distances lower down. 

 These will in time become limbs. The next year top the upright shoots, 

 so as to bring out other horizontal limbs, pointing in different directions 

 from those that came .out last year. Thus the tree will become spread- 

 ing. After this, you must keep down the aspiring shoots ; and every 

 winter cut out some of the old wood. See, and contrast the trees rep- 

 resented on the preceding page. By this management the peach-tree 

 lives as long as the apple or any other fruit tree. It is constantly re- 

 producing itself, always iu full bearing, always young. 



THE PLUM. VARIETIES, 



Washington. — {Syn. Bolmar, Bolmar's Washington.) Large, often 

 very large, roundish oval, suture obscure, distinct at base ; surface yel- 

 lowish-green, faintly marbled, often with a pale-red blush; stalk one 

 half to three-fourths of an inch long, slightly downy ; cavity wide, shal- 

 low ; flesh rather firm, sweet, mild, moderately rich, free from the pointed 

 stone. Rather early, or the last fortnight of summer. Shoots downy, 

 very vigorous, leaves very large. Origin, New York city. This variety 

 although not high in flavor, is a general favorite for its free growth, 

 great productiveness, beauty, fine texture, and adaptedness to all soils. 



Imperial Gage. — (Syn. Flushing gage, prince's imperial gage, whjte 

 gage, of Boston.) Fruit rather large, oval, suture distinct; stalk three- 

 fourths of an inch long, slightly hairy, evenly sunk ; surface green, 

 slightly tinged yellow, with marbled green stripes; bloom copious, 

 white; flesh greenish, juicy, melting, rich, sometimes adhering, but 



