THE PEACH. 



159 



new branches will grow during the summer, which it 

 will not be possible to prevent becoming too vigorous, 

 the sap having taken so strong a current in that direc- 

 tion. The desired result will be better accomplished 

 by twisting the branch about an inch abov3 the base, 

 and for four inches upwards ; then cut between three 

 and four inches above the twisting. One part of the 

 sap will traverse the twisted portion, and will be lost 

 above, and the lower buds, receiving only just suffi- 

 cient for their development, will push out less vigor- 

 ously, and give place the following year to two new 

 branches, covered with fruit-blossoms. The primitive 

 branch must now be cut immediately above the two 



Fig. 140.— Eastening Fruit-Branches. 



new branches, and all the twisted part will disappear. 

 Instead of twisting, we may take off about half the 

 thickness of the branch (on the wall side of the branch), 

 about the same length as the twisted part mentioned 

 above. The same effect will be produced. 



When the fruit-branches have been pruned, and also 

 the wood-branches, and the latter fixed to the wall, we 

 proceed immediately to the winter nailing of the fruit- 

 branches. The branches A (fig. 140), upon and above 

 the oblique and horizontal branches, are bent so as to 

 form a free curve. This form, very little deviating 



