11G JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



pruning be neglected for any length of time, the trees very 

 quickly become unmanageable, the basal leaves in many 

 instances turning yellow and dropping off, on account of the 

 exclusion of light. Trees growing against walls suffer from 

 neglect much sooner than those growing in the open. These 

 latter have light all around, whereas those on the wall get it on 

 one side only. 



Peaches and Nectarines need not be very specially referred 

 to, as with these the principle is more readily understood, even if 

 not always acted upon, and cultivators are more agreed on how 

 the trees should be managed. In passing, I would say that it 

 entirely depends on how the shoots are treated during the 

 growing season, especially during the months of May and June, 

 as to whether Peaches may be successfully cultivated on open 

 walls or not. Crowding the shoots in the early stages, and the 

 neglect of what is known as disbudding, are two of the main 

 causes of failure ; combined, of course, with the insects, for, as is 

 well known, the Peach is prone to the early attacks of insect 

 pests, and if their destruction is not persevered with during the 

 first few weeks of the tree's growth there will be very few shoots 

 left to disbud. It is the retention of the earliest shoots which is 

 needed, as when secured they have the whole season in which to 

 make their growth and to become efficiently ripened. The dis- 

 budding merely consists in taking off all shoots not required for 

 the extension of the tree, and the retaining of one well-placed 

 growth at the base of the fruit-bearing shoot, and another 

 at the end to draw the sap. Never, however, lay in more shoots 

 than will be required for the furnishing or extension of the tree, 

 and all shoots retained should be well exposed to the light to 

 ensure their being well ripened. After the fruit is gathered, the 

 best course is to go over the tree and cut out what is known as 

 old bearing wood and such as will not be required for the 

 extension of the tree. By cutting out or pruning at this stage, 

 if neatly done the wounds quickly heal over, and the shoots 

 remaining are more fully exposed to the ripening influences of 

 the sun and the air. 



Apricots, Plums, and Cherries — except the Morello, which 

 requires somewhat different treatment — these may all be re- 

 ferred to together, as the same general principle is applicable to 

 each, all being adapted (when grown against walls) for the style 



