THE PEACH AND NECTARINE. 149 



tree (fig. 15), and is ready for being transferred from 

 the nursery-rows to the peach-house trellis. 



In the case of new varieties, the process of produc- 



ing trained trees is hastened hy pinching the top of 

 the first year's growth from the bud after it attains a 

 length of two or three inches. This forces the pro- 

 duction of young laterals, which are thinned out to a 

 central growth, and two laterals, one on each side. 



In producing standard trees, the treatment of the 

 stocks is precisely the same as that pursued in the 

 case of dwarfs up to the time for budding, when, 

 instead of using the peach or nectarine bud, a well- 

 developed bud of some variety of plum is inserted at 

 the base of the stock as close to the ground as prac- 

 ticable for the sake of neatness in the future stem. 

 The following year the stock is cut back to the bud, 

 and all growths are rubbed off, excepting the produce 

 of the inserted bud, which under favourable circum- 

 stances rapidly attains the desired height. The fol- 

 lowing year the stems are budded with the peaches 

 and nectarines, and in due course transplanted on 

 walls and fences. This double budding produces a 

 much finer and earlier growth for forming standards 

 with stems from 4 to 5 feet high. Long observation 

 and experience have taught Mr Pitman that certain 



