28 THE MODERN PEACH PRUNER. 



are not so large as in other cases. The leaves of 

 the trees are also more liable to curl, and the 

 attacks of aphides. 



The third chief earth found in soils is lime. 

 The value of lime in the culture of the Peach, the 

 Vine, and indeed all fruit trees, has not yet been 

 fairly estimated. Lime appears in soils in the 

 form of carbonate of lime, or chalk. Without 

 the admixture of other substances essentially chalky 

 soils are very unfertile. A chalky subsoil is un- 

 favourable to fruit culture. Calcareous soils absorb 

 moisture, and dry up with equal rapidity. Cal- 

 careous matter is, however, of the highest necessity 

 in Peach culture. Its absence is at once perceived 

 by the falling of the fruit at the period of stoning, 

 because carbonate of lime constitutes a considerable 

 portion of the stone. Sand and clay are the ap- 

 propriate ingredients to mix with chalky soils, so 

 as to render them more firm, yet permeable and 

 fertile. Clay destroys the whiteness of the chalk, 

 which is unfavourable to the due absorption of the 

 sun's rays. An incident strongly corroborative of 

 what has been advanced respecting the value of 

 lime, occurred lately at Sawbridgeworth. The 

 soil of that nursery is very largely mixed up with 

 comminuted chalk ; the water is therefore im- 

 pregnated largely with carbonate of lime, and its 

 effects on Peach trees and Vines in pots have this 



