153 



PEACH C0LT0EE. 



and extension of what has already been done. It is propei 

 to add that the lateral branches must be gradually in- 

 clined downward until they reach the position they are 

 intended to occupy, which may be fan-shaped or hori- 

 zontal, — at the option of the proprietor. For ourselves, 

 we prefer the fan-shaped, as being nearer the natural posi- 

 tion, and, therefore, best, (fig. 24). 



In this elaborate culture, it will be pbserved that the 

 extension of the main stem, as well as the branches, is by 



Fig. 34. — TRAINING COMPLETE. 



regular annual stages. It is tedious, and somewhat la- 

 borious, and the inexperienced may ask — Why not let the 

 tree take its natural course, and attain its size as soon as 

 may be ? The reason has been already intimated. It is, 

 that the flow of sap, being constantly upward, would give 

 a preponderating size, strength and fruitfulness to a few 

 main branches, while all the others would be correspond- 

 ingly reduced, weakened and sterilized ; while the object 

 of the training is to make every part fruitful. And these 

 stages in the growth greatly tend to this, as a moment's 



