THE PREMATURE LATERAL. 



97 



by M. Grin "the enemy of gardeners, and is either 

 of a good or of an evil nature/' In the first case it 

 is known by the principal leaf being considerably 

 longer and broader than the others. This is when 

 it is quite young and manageable, for it very soon 

 becomes vigorous, and is then easily recognised by 

 its erect habit and darker colour. 



During the months of June and July, especially 

 after a favourable May, the growth of the Peach 

 is considerable. The tree requires constant atten- 

 tion and regulation of the summer shoots, for upon 

 the exact performance of this depends the future 

 appearance of the tree; but the growth of summer 

 laterals, when placed on the upper side of the ex- 

 tension, is such, that it is not easy to regulate 

 it. The consequence of a neglect is, that the 

 strong flow of sap will develope these laterals so 

 fast as to carry away the first pair of well-formed 

 leaves to a distance of 2 or 3 inches from the 

 base in a very short time. This is evidently a 

 defect, and if it should occur in many places 

 must cause the loss of valuable space, and also 

 of radiation of heat. On the other hand, to 

 arrest unskilfully the growth of these laterals in 

 a young and vigorous tree must check its pro- 

 gress and injure it. In the case of an esta- 

 blished tree, to remove too great a portion of the 

 laterals on the under side of an extension, may 



G 



