l6o FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



In removing the last of the superfluous buds, when 

 they have got stronger than those taken off at the first 

 and second disbuddings, a thin sharp knife should be 

 used, as it makes a less and cleaner wound than when 

 they are detached by the hand. The leading shoot, 

 if not required to furnish the tree as in the case of 

 young trees, should be stopped when it has grown one 

 foot ; but allow the lateral growths for next year's 

 fruiting to grow their full length, and keep them 

 regularly tied to the treUis as they grow — using for 

 this purpose soft matting — taking care not to tie too 

 tightly, but leaving room sufficient for the wood to 

 swell. 



The common error of tying in too many young 

 growths should be avoided, as one of the greatest evils 

 in peach-culture. It crowds the tree with wood that 

 is not required, and prevents the sun and air from 

 acting properly on the foliage, and the result is weak,, 

 unripened, and unfruitful wood. Whenever any given 

 growth shows that it is going to grow much stronger 

 than the rest, it should either be cut out altogether, 

 or stopped, and restOpped if necessary, to prevent its 

 monopolising the sap that should go to the other parts 

 of the tree. 



After the fruit are all gathered look carefully over 

 the trees, and untie and cut out at once those shoots 

 from which the fruit have been gathered, and which 

 are not necessary for another year. This gives more 

 room to the young wood required for the ensuing crop, 

 and concentrates the energies of the tree on their 

 maturation. It is not easy nor necessary thus to cut 

 out all the wood that requires to be removed ; but the 

 lessening of it leaves but little to do at the winter or 

 early spring pruning, as the case may be, and it lets 



