72 



On the early Puberty of the Peach Tree. 



pruning and culture which, consistently with my theoretical 

 opinions, appeared best calculated to promote that object. 

 The leaves being the organs in which alone I believe the true 

 sap of the tree to be generated, as many lateral shoots were 

 suffered to remain upon each plant, as could present their 

 foliage to the light without injuriously interfering with each 

 other ; and these were shortened, whilst very young, to the 

 fourth or fifth leaf ; and the buds in the axillae of these 

 leaves were destroyed as soon as they became visible ; so 

 that whatever portion of sap these leaves might generate, 

 none might be uselessly expended. I had previously proved, 

 that leaves, under these circumstances, will promote the 

 growth of the stem between themselves and the ground ; so 

 that any degree of taperness may be given to the stem, 

 almost as accurately by the gardener, in proportioning the 

 quantity and position of the foliage, as it can be subse- 

 quently given to the lifeless wood by the plane of the arti- 

 ficer ; and I calculated that the true sap, which would be 

 generated by the leaves upon the lower parts of the stem, 

 and lateral shoots, would be employed in feeding the roots ; 

 whilst a portion of that, which would be generated by the 

 foliage near the summit of the trees, might there contribute 

 to the formation of fruit buds. The lateral shoots which 

 were emitted near the tops of the young trees, when these 

 had attained the height of seven or eight feet, were in con- 

 sequence only shortened, the buds upon them being left, 

 in the hope that some of them would be converted into 

 blossoms. 



The pots were filled with the green turf of the alluvial soil 

 of a rich meadow, which substance 1 had previously employed 



