264 PEACH. 



produced in the open air in Britain, and there cannot 

 be too much care bestowed in the propagation, cul- 

 ture, and preservation of the numerous fine varieties 

 now in our possession ; nor can too much practical 

 knowledge be disseminated relative to the best me- 

 thods of bringing the fruit to perfection. 



What has been already mentioned in respect of the 

 soil, borders, situation, and planting of the apricot ; 

 and to watering and mulching the borders in dry 

 weather, is also applicable to the peach. But if a 

 border were to be formed for peaches only, then in 

 that case it may be made somewhat stronger than 

 for either apricots or plums, by the addition of good 

 soft loam, but in no case to be of less width, nor of 

 greater depth. The subsoil should also be, either by 

 art or nature, dry : for without a dry bottom no well- 

 flavoured fruit can be expected. 



In planting a collection of peaches, dwarfs and 

 standards (that is, riders), let it be observed to have 

 the dwarf and the rider over or next it of the same 

 kind. This is convenient, because when the rider 

 comes to be removed, or reduced, it is done without 

 breaking the collection. Weakly and vigorous sorts 

 should be placed alternately. 



Three kinds of stocks are necessary for the suc- 

 cessful propagation of the peach, viz,, the muscle 

 plum, pear plum, and the Brompton stock. The 

 muscle is the principal for such as are called 

 English peaches, they taking more freely on that 

 stock ; whereas such as are called French peaches, 

 require the pear plum, or some similar stock. 



