PRUNING. 



205 



of producing a single fruit bud (Fig. 38). Thus the wood of one year 

 would lay the foundation for a weaker and more worthless crop of wood 

 and leaves only the next, and so on indefinitely. But by reducing the 

 number of shoots by pruning additional strength is diverted into those 

 that are left; and thus by 

 annual jirnnings the strength 

 of the wood is kept up to a 

 fruit-bearing level (Fig. 39). 



What may be called naturally 

 fertile influences have also 

 more free access to and more 

 powerful influence over pruned 

 than unpruned peach trees. It 

 is important in this relation 

 to bear in mind that the peach 



Fia, 38. 



Fia. 39. 



and nectarine are natives of warmer climes than these. Hence the im- 

 portance of keeping their shoots so thin as to give the light and warmth 

 of the sun and all atmospheric influences free access to every part of each 

 branch. It is for these objects chiefly that such trees are backed up 

 against warm walls instead of planted in the open. But half the 

 advantages that maybe derived from warm sites and protecting walls' 



d2 



