Ill] STONE FRUITS 63 



always bear in mind that a fruit tree has only a 

 certain amount of strength, and if this strength 

 is overtaxed, the tree will necessarily suffer 



^^^ith regard to stone fruits generally, the fruit 

 is produced on the young wood, i.e. on the wood 

 formed the previous year, and if a tree is too 

 heavily laden with fruits, it must follow that there 

 will be but a small opportunity of its making 

 young wood for the following year. 



Some growers will have to cater for more -con- 

 sumers than others, and under these circumstances 

 it will simply be a question of quantity, not of 

 quality. Every grower should adopt, as far as 

 possible, the " happy medium," for by so doing he 

 will gain the advantage of a crop of fruit each 

 year. 



The age of a tree is not always known to the 

 purchaser, but as a good and safe guide to the in- 

 experienced, the prices at which trees are generally 

 supplied may here be quoted. Peaches and nec- 

 tarines capable of bearing a good crop of fruit the 

 first year are usually supplied in two sizes ; the 

 larger trees at 10*. Qd. per tree, and the second 

 size at 7s. Gd. per tree. 



If a peach or nectarine tree at lO*. 6d. is a 

 large-fruited variety, it may safely carry 8 fruits ; 

 if a medium-sized ^'ariety, 10 fruits ; and if a small 

 variety, 12 fruits. 



