664 



Pruning of the Peach. 



[FEB., 



will break very strongly, and two may be selected from each 

 for growing on. The tree has now double the number of 

 branches that it had prior to the shortening, and during the 

 subsequent growing season they will extend steadily. 



FIG. 2. — Second year tree: — (C), tree A fig. I, with five shoots, usual form of 

 fan-trained tree, but not a true old English fan, which has no leader ; (/), leading or 

 central shoot ; (g), side shoots to form branches, all others being rubbed off while 

 quite small ; {h), points of shortening to cause strong growths to push at the desired 

 points. 



FIG. 3. — Second year tree : — (D), tree B [fig. I, with four strong shcots, which 

 have pushed laterals : (z), points of shortening to unstarted buds ; (/), points of 

 shortening ; {k) t points of cutting off laterals. 



Soil. — The extent to which they will develop may be ex- 

 pected to depend upon the soil. Successful peach growers 

 do not find it desirable to employ a very rich soil for this fruit. 

 Heavily manured soil means gross growth, which has to be 



