584 



THE PEACH. 



full of small bearing branches, and well garnished with leaves. It must 



be borne in mind that the fruit is 

 only borne on the young shoots of 

 the previous summer's growth. In a 

 young tree these are properly distri- 

 buted throughout. But in a couple of 

 seasons, the tree being left to itself, 

 the growth being mostly produced at 

 the ends of the principal branches, the 

 young shoots in the interior of the 

 head of the tree die out. The conse- 

 quence is, that in a short time the 



A peach-tree without pruning, as com- interior of the tree is filled with long 



moniy seen. lean branches, with only young shoots 



at their extremities. Any one can 

 see that such a tree can be provided with but half the number of 

 healthy, strong shoots for bearing, that one would have if filled through- 

 out with vigorous young wood. The sap flows tardily through the 

 long and rigid branches, and not half leaves enough are provided to 

 secure the proper growth of the fruit. And, finally, all the fruit which 

 the tree yields being allowed to remain at the ends of the branches, they 

 often break under its weight. 



Now, we propose to substitute for this what is generally known as 

 the shortening-in system of pruning. We affirm, both from its constant 

 success abroad, and from our own experience and observation in this 

 country, that, putting its two diseases out of the question, the peach may 

 be continued in full vigor and production, in any good soil, for from ten 

 to thirty years. 



Let us take a healthy tree in the orchard or garden, in its first blos- 

 soming year. It is usually about six to eight feet high, its well-shaped 

 head branching out about three feet * from the ground. It has never yet 

 been trimmed, except to regulate any deformity in its shape, and this is 

 so much the better. 



At the end of February, or as early in the spring as may be, we com- 

 mence pruning. This consists only of shortening-in, i.e., cutting off half 

 the last yearns growth over the whole outside of the head of the tree, 

 and also upon the inner branches. As the usual average growth is from 

 one to two feet, we shall necessarily take off from six to twelve inches. 

 It need not be done with precise measurement ; indeed, the strongest 

 shoots should be shortened back most, in order to bring up the others, 

 and any long or projecting limbs that destroy the balance of the head 

 should be cut back to a uniform length. This brings the tree into a 

 well-rounded shape. By reducing the young wood one-half, we at the 

 same moment reduce the coming crop one-half in number. The remain- 

 ing half, receiving all the sustenance of the tree, are of double the size. 

 The young shoots, which start out abundantly from every part of the 

 tree, keep it well supplied with bearing wood for the next year, while 

 the greater luxuriance and size of the foliage, as a necessary conse- 

 quence, produces larger and higher flavored fruit, f Thus, while we have 



* We think low heads much preferable to high ones on many accounts. They 

 shade the root, and are more within reach both for pruning and gathering. 



f It is well, in shortening -back, to cut off the shoot close above a icood-bud 

 rather than a blossom-bud. Few persons are aware how much the size and 



