24 TREATISE ON THE CULTURE AND 



Wherever you see the gum oozing, you may be certain that 

 the canker is not quite eradicated. — [See the Chapter on the 

 Canker.] 



It will frequently be necessary to look over your trees> 

 and rub off what superfluous shoots remained after going over 

 them the first time. Indeed, if you were to examine the trees 

 once every fortnight, it would be so much the better, as by so 

 doing they can be kept in perfect order. I have so accustomed 

 myself to look over my trees, that I do it as I walk about my 

 ordinary business, which saves a great deal of time. 



When the peaches are about the size of a small marble, 

 begin to thin them ; which operation must be left to the judg- 

 ment of the person who does it ; but it should be according to 

 the strength of the tree. This ought to be done very regu- 

 larly, that the fruit may be equally dispersed over the tree. If 

 left too thick, it will not have room to swell : this frequently 

 happens. If the tree be very strong, you may leave from three 

 to six peaches on each shoot ; according to the strength and 

 length of the branch. 



I have observed, that where the composition was applied 

 to prevent the sap from being exhaled by the sun and air, all 

 the trees that were very much loaded with fruit were not in the 

 least hurt,* while the trees that were treated in the common 

 way were greatly injured, and often killed, when they have had 

 a great crop. 



In very dry seasons, it will be necessary to make a large 

 bason round each tree ; or, rather, make up an edge along 

 the whole border with mould, as you would for a bed to bed 

 out plants in a nursery ; then give the trees a good watering, 

 and mulch the border (which should be from two feet and a 

 half to three feet broad) with some very rotten dung or leaves, 

 which will keep the roots of the trees moist, and prevent the 

 ground from cracking. Water the trees once a week during 

 <lry weather, and sprinkle the branches and leaves every other 

 day in the afternoon, with the engine, pressing your fore-fin-- 

 ger over the mouth of the pipe, in order to spread the water 

 very fine. By these means you will keep the trees clean and 

 free from insects ; always remembering not to sprinkle them 

 when the sun is on them, nor too late in the evening, as the 

 former scorches the leaves, and the latter is apt to bring the 

 mildew on the tender sort of peaches. If you find any of the 

 trees infected, leave off sprinkling them, or water them with 

 clear lime-water, as hereafter directed ; but this should always 

 be done in warm weather. By frequently sprinkling the trees 

 with lime-water, and throwing it plentifully on the underside 



