INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



9 



pruning, which, with simple and obvious modifica- 

 tions, should serve for every purpose. 



Throughout a much closer style of pruning of 

 the shoots, and little or no shortening-in of the 

 branches has been recommended, which is only a 

 recurrence to first principles. 



The frontispiece, showing the appearance of the 

 shoots in the autumn, after having been closely 

 summer-stopped, is an example of the new style. 

 This is pruning on the " alternate system." 



The original system of close pruning, begun 

 thirty years ago at Chartres, by Mons. Grin, is 

 described, being the only authentic account in this 

 country. But the exigencies of an English climate 

 required a larger style of treatment, so as to supply 

 vacancies, and blank spaces caused by accidents, 

 &c, and all this is secured by the alternate system. 

 This is adapted either for trees on the open wall, 

 or for diagonal cordons on the back walls of 

 orchard-houses. Nor does the pruning of trees 

 in pots essentially differ. In this consists the 

 general system proposed. 



The Peach (Persica vulgaris) has been arranged 

 in two grand divisions of freestones and cling- 

 stones, and then in three sub-divisions, as follows : — 



The first has leaves serrated and glandless. 



