PKOPA.GATION. 



191 



As peaches and nectarines are generally budded in the open, and not 

 seldom start into growth the same season, it is needfnl to support 

 the young shoots with a stake tied on the stem as soon as they 

 start, to prevent them from being broken or twisted out. by the wind. 

 But many of the buds remain dormant. These, as soon as they are 



Fie. 9. 



properly united, should be wholly untied, so that the bark may get quite 

 healed and hardened before winter. In the case of very late buds, a 

 slight tie might be left' on to give them the necessary support, and also a 



, Fib. is. 



small amount of protection. In no case should newly- budded trees — 

 and especially those with dormant buds — ^be removed till they have made 

 one season's growth. 



The best time to cut back the stock to the bud of the scion (Pig. 12) is 

 in the following spring. The top is generally painted or pitched over to 

 prevent bleeding. To be more definite, peaches budded in July and re- 

 maining dormant should not be out back till the suooeeding February. 

 Those that start within a month and make shoots during August and 



