PLAHTING. -215 



of the tops of growing shoots when their heads overlap or orerorowd 

 others of more importance. Prom that period to the end of the year 

 the pruuer should aim at the ripening of the wood already made rather 

 than the production of more. The removal of lateral branches will aid 

 the maturation of the shoots left. At times, however, this is not enough, 

 as it is often possible to reduce the number of branches with the best 

 results in July. In oases even where the fruit may have failed on some 

 of the main leaders these may be boldly out out, thus leaving more space 

 for the young wood. Wounds made in summer also heal much sooner 

 on trees so subject to gum as peaches and nectarines, than such wounds 

 made in winter or the early spring. As the young wood reveals its true 

 character it is often possible to elect the fittest or best about this season, 

 and by the removal of all superfluous shoots and sprays, latent force is 

 diverted and concentrated into the branches left ; and besides, these are 

 exposed to more light, heat, air, and moisture, and consequently are 

 enlarged in size and better matured. 



To all these modes of pruning some would add yet another, that of 

 leaf thinning and mutilation. But with a wise selection and a free re- 

 duction in the amount of wood, neither of these processes should be 

 adopted. Many, however, remove part of the leaves during September 

 or October, those that come off easiest and overhang the shoots the most 

 being chosen for removals Others, again, cut numbers of the leaves 

 across the middle with a sharp knife or scissors. It is not, however, 

 needful to refer further to these modes of leaf thinning or pruning, as 

 they belong rather to the crude barbarism of a past age than to the 

 science and practice of modem pruning. 



Planting. 



CoNSlsEBiKa the commercial value and universal appreciation of these 

 fruits, it is surprising that they are not more generally and extensively 

 cultivated, especially in small gardens. True they need the protection of 

 walls to bring them to perfection in our climate. The few instances 

 of standard peaches ripening fruit in the open air are but, the 

 exceptions that confirm the rule. The waU space of dwelling houses 

 alone suitable for peach culture might be measured by hundreds of 

 square acres. And then there are farm buildings, warehouses, factories, 

 workshops, maltings, railway stations, dead waJls, and fences innumerable 

 mostly unclothed and unfurnished with any sort of trees. A large 



