54 



vegetable energy, thus confined within a narrow space, 

 is ready to burst forth in whatever irregular manner 

 chance may determine. The principle members, 

 which form the skeleton of the tree, are seldom suffi- 

 ciently distinguished from the other branches. Taking 

 their origin chiefly from the centre of the tree, they 

 become too crowded, and they are further allowed to 

 separate into an indefinite number of subdivisions. 

 This defective arrangement, in general, and especially 

 when combined with the foregoing circumstances, fails 

 not to overthrow the equilibrium of the sap. 



Again, there is a want of distinction between the 

 subordinate members and the bearing shoots. The 

 latter too frequently pass into the former, and then, 

 in the confusion which follows, amputation either of 

 larger or smaller branches becomes necessary. This 

 pernicious operation is quite indispensable in those 

 methods of pruning recommended by Mr. Knight 

 and others, in which reversing and bending of the 

 bearing shoots are prominent features. {CaL Hort. 

 Mem. iv. 155.) 



Although Mr. Knight inclined to almond-stocks 

 for the nectarine, he prefered peach-stocks for the 

 peach, and gives the following directions for their 

 raising. Instead of sowing the stones in pots as di- 

 rected when varieties are the object, sow them in the 

 border three inches deep, twelve inches apart, and in 

 rows two feet asunder. 



