PKOPAGATION. 185 



hastened by storing as above, bieaHng the stones and removing them, 

 and sowing the kernels only in a gentle heat. Cleared of the hard barrier 

 of the stone, the seeds start at once and make rapid progress, and may, 

 mth liberal treatment, be fostered into a nice plant in a few months. 



As it is of great moment to be able to prove seedling peaches as soon as 

 possible, this mode of fostering their rapid germination and early growth 

 may beQpme exceedingly useful to the raisers of new and improved 

 'varieties. The peach may be fruited the second season from seeds with a 

 little special treatment. It will fruit the third or fourth year without 

 any special hurrying or extra care. Some forward the fruiting of seed- 

 lings by selecting the forwardest buds on the top of the shoots of the first 

 season for budding into established trees. These often produce fruiting 

 wood the second season. By grafting the ripest shoots on to suitable 

 stocks in the spring, the fruit buds, if any, of such shoots, may ripen 

 fruit the first year, plentifully the secoad. 



It is said that some peaches come true from seeds in America, or with 

 but little variation. Such has not been found to be generally the case in 

 Europe, though in the latter it must be admitted a new element and cause 

 of variation — that of the stocks — ^is introduced. It is ciuite possible that 

 peaches on their own roots would come more true from seeds than those 

 budded or grafted on the plum or the almond. Be that as it may, it is 

 found that there is little constancy in seedling peaches or nectarines in 

 . Europe. If there were, the crop of new and superior varieties from seeds 

 would be scantier than it is. It is also extremely doubtful whether, if 

 peaches and nectarines came true from seed, that would prove the best 

 mode of propagating them for garden purposes. On the contrary, ezpe- 

 :jience seems to prove, what could hardly have been anticipated, that the 

 peach thrives better on the plum than on its own roots, or its dose ally, 

 the almond. 



This fact may well curtail our instructions for the raising of peaches 

 from seeds for stocks, though it may be useful and interesting to some to 

 give such information. The seeds may be sown in rows 2ft. or a 

 yard apart, and Sin. deep ; if sown rather thinly they may remain where 

 sown until budded, which may be m the next autumn if the plants have 

 grown well — certainly in the second season. They may be sown in 

 the autumn or spring, as is most convenient, and a light rich soil, on a. 

 dry bottom and in a warm situation, are the likeliest conditions to com- 

 mand success. The plants, however, sown in this way, where they are 

 to remain, are apt to run very much into tap root. They grow freely 

 and rapidly, but when removed afterwards often fail to thrive for lack of 

 .-sufficient fibres. To force the development of these, the peach stones 

 may be sown in beds of rieh easth, or in pans or boxes. As soon as 



