426 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



AUGUST. 



WALL-TREES. 



Wall-trees still demand attention ; particularly peaches, nec- 

 tarines, and such like. 



Let them be once more carefully looked over, and see whe- 

 ther all the branches and shoots remain secure in their proper 

 places. Where any have been displaced by winds or other 

 accidents, let them be nailed up again in a secure and neat 

 manner; and where any of the shoots are loose, or project 

 from the wall, or have extended in length, let the whole be 

 nailed in securely. 



To have the shoots all lie close and regular to the wall is a 

 great advantage to the fruit, and is beneficial to the trees, and 

 always looks well. 



As the fruits, particularly peaches, nectarines, apricots, and 

 the finer plums begin to color, the leaves should be picked 

 off that overshadow them, in order to allow the full power of 

 the sun to reach the fruit, which will both add to its flavor and 

 color. In doing so, care must be taken not to pick them off 

 too close, so as to injure the buds ; in most cases, if they be 

 cut off about the middle, or within an inch or two of their 

 base, the buds will not suffer much, and many may be placed 

 aside, and will not require to be taken oft' at all. 



FIG-TREES. 



Fig-trees will now require great care; their fruit will be 

 full grown, and begin to ripen, and will require a moderate 

 degree of the sun*s heat to forward them, and to give them 

 their real flavor. 



All strong shoots should be laid close to the wall, but use 

 the knife as little as possible. 



Let no shoots be cut off except those which grow foreright ; 

 and such as grow in a proper position should be carefully 



