122 THE MODERN PEACH PRTINER. 



buds on the lowest portions of the shoot, by cutting 

 back below the point of the first stopping in time, 

 as described in No. 15, is a valuable system for 

 some localities ; forerights to be closely pinched 

 in, and short spurs preserved. This is a mixed 

 system ; but I have now no doubt that the safest, 

 the most profitable, and the simplest way is to 

 make the first summer-stopping of the shoots at 

 four leaves, as soon as at least six full- sized leaves 

 are developed. These four good leaves will each 

 have a bud or buds in their axils, and there is now 

 length enough in this shoot to satisfy any pruner ; 

 for if these four buds are not to bear, where does 

 the long-pruner expect his fruit to be? And if 

 they are to bear, what need is there for more 

 growth beyond them than is sufficient, as in the 

 Vine, to nourish the fruit? 



The first stopping of the shoots, then, is at four 

 full-sized leaves. The smaller leaves at the base, 

 having no buds now in their axils, do not count. 

 Of the four leaves left, some of the upper buds will 

 burst into second growths, and the lower ones will 

 be constituted. These shoots not being tied in, we 

 may suppose that one or two of the upper buds 

 will thus burst. If the shoot be on the under side of 

 the branch, or on the upper side and tied in, only 

 the point-bud will burst. As soon as the second 

 growth has made four leaves, it should be reduced to 



