96 



bearing, from base to top, for 18 to 20 years, but it becomes necessary then to cut 

 the tree hard back and start it afresh, as illustrated in the chapter, at the end of 

 tliis work, on the renovation of trees (Figure 151). By hard pruning, and by ■ 

 keeping the tree roomy (for it must be remembered that the peach is a heavy- 

 foliaged tree and will not stand crowding) the fruiting laterals all up the main 

 and sub-arms can be kept healthy and productive, with a constant renewal of 

 gr wth ; but if light and air arc shut out bj' overcrowding of the top, the lower 

 fruiting-wood soon becomes exhausted and starved, and l:)are, barren limbs 

 result. 



Figures 110 and 111 show an Elberta peach unpruned and pruned. The 

 tree is grown on the upright narrow base system, and the figures are included for 



rig. 114. 

 Tree correctly pruned this season, but in the jiast has Ijeen allowed to spread 



too ninfh. 



the benefit of those who prefer to follow that system. Figures 112 and 113 show 

 a Comet peach and a Goldmine nectarine grown on the wide base sj^stem, pruned, 

 and just coming into flower. 



I would urge the wide system, not only because it gives so much room, per- 

 mitting of a greater nuinber of leaders and therefore of more fruit, but also because 

 it admits of a lower a -d much stronger tree. Anything that is gained through 

 saving of labour in cultivation on the narrow-base system is lost again in picking 

 the fruit and pruning, by reason of the height of the tree. 



Figiu-e 114 shows a peach which has been well pruned this season, but it 

 ha-i in the p^st been alloAved to spread far too wide. The base is correct, but the 

 leailers should have been grown more upright. 



