474 



CULTURE OF THE PEACH UNDER GLASS 



early part of autumn, a bud is formed in the axil of every individual leaf, 

 and these are termed single, double, or triple eyes, or buds, according as one 

 or more are produced at each node. In the following season, these buds 

 develop themselves, either as flower-buds or young shoots ; and, previously to 

 pruning, it is necessary to distinguish the one description from the other. 

 The flower-buds are plump and roundish ; the wood- buds are more oblong 

 and pointed, and one of these is generally situated between two flower-buds in 

 the case of triple buds occurring at the same node. It is therefore expedient 

 in pruning to shorten a shoot to these triple eyes, or in their absence to a 

 leaf-bud, but never to a fruit-bud only ; for no shoot could be prolonged 

 from it, nor would the fruit attain perfection, owing to the want of leaves in 

 immediate connexion with its footstalk. The mode of bearing is solely on 

 shoots of the preceding summer's growth. — Fenny Cyclopcedia^yol. xvii.,p.846. 



SuBSECT. II — Culture of the Peach under Glass in British Gardens. 



991. Construction of the peach-house. — The form of the peach-house 

 need not differ much from that of the grape-house, but in general it is made 

 narrower and not so high at the back wall. Mr. Torbron, an experienced 

 forcing gardener, recommends, length 80 feet, width 12 feet, height at back 

 9 feet, at front 2 feet. The front and end walls, and flues, to be on arches. 

 The flue to be within 3 feet of the front and end walls, and to be returned 

 interiorly, leaving between the flues a vacuity of 6 inches or a foot. A 

 trellis to be fixed to the rafters 15 inches from the glass, and the trees to 

 be planted between the front wall and the flue. The sashes, in two 

 lengths, to lap in the middle. The top-lights to be 1 inch wider than 

 the lower ones ; and the lower ones to run up and down in a groove 

 formed in the rafter under the top light, so that the top and bottom lights 

 may run free of each other. The doors at each end, or one at the furnace 

 end. The rise from the furnace to the floor of the flue should be 18 inches. 

 The situation of the chimney-top should be in the back wall over the furnace ; 

 or if the coals produce a great deal of dense smoke, the chimney may be 

 carried up in the front wall of the back shed. If the heating is to be 

 effected by hot water, the pipes may be at exactly the same distance from 

 the front and end walls as that above-mentioned for flues, in case of their 

 being used. (957.^) 



992. Peaches and nectarines best adapted for forcing. — The nectarine is a 

 variety of the peach, and of both there are what are called cling-stones, in 

 which the flesh adheres to the nut or stone, and free-stones, in which the 

 flesh parts from the stone readily. The sorts of peaches best adapted for 

 forcing are — * Grosse Mignonne, * Royal George, Red Magdalen, Royal 

 Charlotte, * Bellegarde, Barrington, and Late Admirable. These sorts 

 ripen in the order in which they are placed ; the two latter kinds being late 

 peaches, are only proper to be planted where a prolonged' succession is 

 required. The Bellegarde is not so subject to the attack of mildew as 

 many others are that have serrated glandless leaves. The best sorts of 

 nectarines for forcing are the Elruge and the * Violet Hative. All the 

 above are free-stone fruits, cling-stones not being favourites iu this country ; 

 though in Italy and North America, where the summers are much warmer, 

 they are preferred. 



993. Plants and mode of training. — Time is gained by procuring from the 

 nurseries, or from the open walls of the same garden, trees which have been 



