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THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



and be useful in autumn. A few of tliese, and some of the 

 earliest gooseberries, should be planted on a wall having a 

 southern aspect, to come in before those in the open garden ; 

 they may be planted only for temporary purposes between any 

 other wall trees, that have not yet filled their allotted space, 

 and as they fill up, cut out the gooseberries and currants. 

 Raspberries planted in this way come both early and improved. 



PRUNING PEACH-TREES. 



The buds of peaches and nectarines will now begin to swell, 

 and may be pruned as directed last month. Where young 

 maiden trees are planted, or have been planted last year, head 

 them down according to their respective stren-gths. The 

 weakest shoots to be cut back to one or two buds, and the less 

 weak to four or five, and the more luxuriant ones may be laid 

 in still longer, for they will naturally throw out sufficient 

 shoots, with which to form the frame of the tree ; whereas, if 

 cut in close, it would only induce them to push of course few 

 buds, and those too gross and strong. Strong trees are to be 

 brought into proper habits by laying in plenty of wood, and 

 when they fruit, allowing more to ripen than otherwise would 

 be deemed prudent; it will check their luxuriance, and fit 

 them for more regular treatment. 



This is the time to model a peach-tree into whatever shape 

 or habit may be required, and too much attention cannot be 

 paid at this, and the subsequent prunings for the first three or 

 four years. Many trees are for ever spoiled, by having thoir 

 shoots laid in at full length, thus producing trees with a small 

 portion of fi'uitful wood at their very extremities, while their 

 bottom and centre are entirely naked. By judiciously shorten- 

 ing these trees, a sufficient supply of young wood will always 

 be obtained, and fruit in proportion. Trees allowed to run 

 themselves to their extremities become so weakened that they 

 neither do nor can produce much fruit, and what little they do 

 produce, is of very inferior quality. By good management, 

 peach-trees will, in the third year after planting, be brought 

 into bearing, and will continue so for many years, if the border 



nas been prepared in a proper manner and occaeionallv re 

 f 



