104 



shortening others to wood buds to throw fruiting wood the foil wing seasons, 

 for a constant renewal of growth must be maintained. Figure 123 illustrates two 

 peach leaders from young trees which were unpruned during the winter. It will 

 be seen that far more fruit has set than the limbs can possibly carry. The 

 result of this will be that not only will the fruit be small and unmarketable, but 

 the future of the Leaders has been seriously impaired, for very little growth will be 

 u^ade. The leaders will become weak and willowy, and the lateral growth 

 barren, only bearing on the tip of fresh wood put out each season. 



Fig. 126. 

 The extremity of an older Peach leader. 



Figure 124 illustrates a strong leader on a vigoroiLS young tree , while Figure 12.5 

 shows how this should be pruned. Figure 126 illustrates the extremitj' of a leader 

 from an older tree, while Figure 127 shows liow this should be prmied. The bunch 

 of terminal growth has been removed, retaining the best placed and strongest shoot 

 I (> continue the leader. The extremities of the leaders must always be kept clear 

 in this manner. Peaches and nectarines should, wherever possible, be irrigated 

 during the summer months in Western Australia. 



