548 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Nectarines, Forced and on Open Walls.— 



Nectarines are better than Peaches when well grown, and 

 in considering varieties and culture, those kinds of the finest 

 flavour will lie first thought of. Take forcing first, and 

 as a few kinds force well which do not thrive satisfactorily 

 on open walls, it may be well to describe them. The 

 management of the Nectarine is so like that of the Peach, 

 to which it is closely allied, that one need not dwell at 

 length upon soils, temperatures, and best positions, as fre- 

 quently even those wdio have poor houses secure a good crop. 

 A great deal depends upon the management of the trees. 

 Much of the success is due to small details. Although an 

 ordinaiy garden soil will grow trees, more satisfactory results 

 will be secured by the use of what is called good loam with 

 such additions to make it suitable as are known to encourage 

 fibrous root growth and good wood — not the strong barren 



« d which is at times seen when large quantities of 



manures are used at the start. It is an easier matter, some 

 will say, to recommend I he best soil than it is to secure it, 

 but this need not deter planters, as very line crops are 

 obtained from what are termed made-up borders. For 

 instance, heavy clay soil may be made good by the 

 liberal addition of burnt refuse, road scrapings, and old 

 mortar rubble ; the last-named used freely is just the 

 material the roots require. Of course very light soils can 

 be improved by adding heavy materials; indeed, many trees 

 go wrong through the soil being too porous, gravel or 

 sandy soil being by no means the best. It needs more 

 feeding, moisture, and frequent renewal. Of course in the 

 case of newly-planted trees it is not advisable to force much 

 the first season, but to build up fruiting wood for another 

 year. Avoid overcrowding the trees with wood .it the 

 start, i.e., take sufficient leaders and give them space to 

 develop Constant attention is also needed as regards dis- 

 budding or removal of surplus buds, as if all were left, the 

 tree in a trained condition could not mature the wood, so 

 thai the surplus ones must be removed. 



With regard to position, always choose a south or 

 west aspect, even under glass, as though the trees may 

 thrive elsewhere, the crop will be more scanty, and in wet, 

 dull seasons the lruils need all the sun and light possible. 

 Another point is to give ample space for the growth, as 

 severe cutting back yearly promotes canker. Avoid high 

 temperatures at any time, as the trees, especially at the 

 start, resent this ; indeed, high temperatures are more 

 harmful with stone fruits than with others. 



For open walls a south or south-west position is best, as 

 one cannot always rely upon summer weather Nectarines, 

 unless they get plenty of sun, often crack badly and 

 refuse to ripen. Much the same remarks apply to trees on 

 walls as under glass as regards soil, but one may plant in 

 the natural soil, and give such aids as previously advised, 

 according to the nature ol the soil ; hut avoid badly-drained 

 soil, which is fatal to success, more so in the case of the 

 Nei tarine than oilier fruits. In soil at all wet, dig it out to 

 a depth of 3ft., then place in at least 6in. of brick rubb'e, and 

 over this some finer drainage material, to obtain a raised 

 border say quite bin. from the wall and above the sur- 

 rounding soil. Grown thus there are better surface roots, 

 and without these the trees do not last many years, though 

 the Nectarine will thrive well under hard gravel walks. 

 Upon examination, the roots have been found close to the 

 surface, and doubtless the hard walk was their salvation, as 

 it threw off the superabundant moisture. When planting 

 on an open wall, put the trees 15ft. to 20ft. apart, but one 

 may give 25ft. and plant what are called riders between. 

 These are fan-trained standards, with 5ft. to 6ft. stems, 

 according to the height of the wall. These in a few years 

 are taken away, and the dwarf trees allowed the full space. 

 By adopting this plan the wall is furnished quickly and 

 there is no waste, as the tall trees, when removed, are in 

 excellent condition to place elsewhere if carefully lifted. 

 Transplanting also causes a more fruitful growth if the 

 trees are inclined to make too much wood. Even with 

 dwarf-trained trees on a wall it may be necessary to lilt 

 them, say, at the third or fourth year or later, as in good 

 soil the roots get too strong. This results in fat wood and 

 few fruits. The Nectarine, like, the Peach, fruits on the 



small shoots made the previous season. These will not be 

 fruitful if loo strong, and this is one reason why at planting 

 such aids as will induce fibrous root growth and well-formed 

 fruiting wood are advised. Strong shoots have to be 

 severely cut back, and this is the beginning of canker. 



Varieties for Forcing - . -The following are the best 

 varieties lor lorcing. These are not numerous, as in the case 

 of the Peach, but ample, some being much better than 

 others, especially those introduced of late years by the 

 Messrs. Rivers. 



Cardinal. — This fruit was introduced about I096, 

 sufficiently long to test its merits; it is a splendid intro- 

 duction, and though the Messrs. Rivers do not recommend 

 it for open walls, it is of great value for forcing. It is the 

 earliest Nectarine grown, at least a fortnight earlier than 

 any other kind, of beautiful colour, large, excellent in 

 quality, and of free growth. 



Early Rivers' is also one of the newer introductions, and 

 the best all-round variety we have on account of its earliness, 

 good quality, and usefulness for open walls. In cold, late 

 districts this will mature when others fail. It was only 

 introduced in 1894, yet has become the most popular 

 Nectarine in cultivation. The fruit is large, skin rich 

 crimson on the sunny side, green flesh, and of rich, delicious 

 flavour. 



Eonl Xapier. Previous to ihe advenl ol the two named 

 above, Lord Napier occupied the premier position, and for 

 general culture it is a fine fruit ; it is about ten days later 

 than Early Rivers', a beautiful, highly-coloured fruit of rich 

 flavour, and forces well. It deserves special culture in any 

 positii mi. 



Elruge. — A medium-sized fruit, excellent for forcing, rich 

 in flavour, and crops freely under glass, but is less reliable 

 in the open in exposed positions. 



Pitmaston Orange. — A reliable kind for forcing, and, like 

 those named earlier, rarely fails. It is a yellow-fleshed fruit of 

 splendid flavour, very handsome, and a mid season variety, 

 coming in after Lord Napier. 



I Iumb ildl. — A late yellow-fleshed Nectarine of splendid 

 quality. It produces very large Iruits of rich colour, bears 

 freely, and is in season after those no ed above. 



Victoria. — The latest Nectarine, a large green fruit. The 

 tree should be quite near the glass. It is a first-class 

 Nectarine for latest use. 



For Open Walls.— Early Rivers' is the best variety for 

 forcing, and, indeed, the leading kind. Few can rival it 

 for earliest supplies, but it needs a warm position. 



Lord Napier. — This is one of the best for forcing for 

 open walls, and is invaluable for August supplies. 



Rivers' Orange. — A beautiful yellow-fleshed Nectarine, 

 not unlike the Pitmaston in colour and quality, but the 

 hardier of the two, and a delicious fruit grown on a 

 warm wall. 



Humboldt. — This has been described lor use as a late 

 variety lor forcing, and for open walls it is an excellent early 

 September fruit, and crops bountifully on a warm wall. 



Spenser. — One of the newer fruits, but a splendid open- 

 wall variety, very large, and ripe in the middle of 

 September. It is one of the best of the later kinds, a 

 lighter-coloured fruit than some, but very handsome, having 

 a mottled red skin. 



Pine Apple. — Few more reliable, being a large, oval, 

 late September variety, a good grower, and very handsome 

 fruit of a distinct, peculiar rich flavour, and with yello w flesh. 



Newton. — One of the latest, and not safe in a northern 

 or cold locality, but most useful on a south wall for use 

 during late September and early October. It is a large 

 handsome fruit of great excellence. 



Peach Culture On Walls. — That Peaches can be 

 grown on open walls there is no room (or doubt if rational 

 treatment be given the trees, and the locality is a suitable 

 one. Cultivators living in the country, away from the 

 smoke line of towns, have a distinct advantage. Their 

 culture in or near a smoky town would hardly be advisable. 

 The southern counties, too, possess advantages that their 

 northern brethren cannot hope to obtain in the matter of 

 warmth and immunity from late spring and early autumn 

 frosts, 



