105 



We have some doubts of so extensive a use of sum- 

 mer laterals ; we use them occasionally, but we take 

 care to stop them when a few eyes long, for their ten- 

 dency, if suffered to proceed unrestrained, is to aug- 

 ment the strength of the superior parts of the tree 

 at the expense of the inferioi:. 



Mr, Mitchell's Plan,— Mr. Mitchell, of Sudbury 

 Garden, aims at having fewer leading branches than 

 are usually worked in by other gardeners, whereby, 

 he considers, more organizable matter is devoted to 

 the production of bearing- wood. The following di- 

 rections are from his own pen : — Below is a sketch of 

 a Royal George peach tree planted on the back wall 

 of a peach-house seven years ago. The figure in 

 question was taken after the operation of pruning in 

 the seventh year was completed, at which time it ex- 

 tended thirty-two feet in length. A correct idea will 

 be obtained by referring to the woodcut, fig. 15 (a). 



Fig. 15. 



representing the leading branches, and (b) the fruit- 

 bearing wood, which is regular and uniform in size 



