USEFUL MAXIMS. 



47 



fluid alone. Be this as it may (and the question 

 is not as yet satisfactorily decided) all seem agreed 

 that, to a diminished circulation is owing the for- 

 mation of the genuine fruit-bud. Lifting the tree, 

 without injuring the roots, is a powerful remedy 

 when it is too vigorous, and making rank growths. 

 In many forms, however, which will be hereafter 

 more fully entered into, the lifting is never neces- 

 sary in Peach trees, because by summer-stopping 

 the shoots are rendered fruitful, while the roots, 

 from the close planting of the trees, cannot acquire 

 any undue development. In the orchard-house 

 I have never lifted any Peach trees, because ferti- 

 lity was obtainable by the other means described. 

 Diagonal cordon Peach trees, having only short 

 fruitful shoots on the main branches or leaders, 

 are easily restrained in vigour. The fruit are 

 produced close to the main leaders, by which they 

 receive the direct action of the sap, and so become 

 largest. 



4. It is an axiom in Peach culture thus to obtain 

 the fruit close to the base of the shoots. When, 

 on the contrary, these shoots are allowed to pro- 

 duce spray, as well as the spurs, a number of 

 useless flower-buds are formed which the tree has 

 no strength to mature. The sap is exhausted by 

 following so many needless channels, and the fruits 

 either fall at the period of stoning, or remain small 



