146 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ July, 
I have several other instances. From this I learn that to “ over-do is to undo.’’ 
A Peach or Nectarine tree has not only to bear a crop of fruit, but also to perfect 
its wood for another season. Freshly planted trees should be lightly cropped and 
also mulched. Three Peaches or Nectarines per square foot are an ample crop 
for an established tree ; one, or at most, two fruits per square foot are enough 
for a young tree lately planted. 
We all live to moderate our opinions ; and ingenuous people will always con¬ 
fess their change of opinions. I used to think it a bad plan to cut down young 
Peach or Nectarine trees received from the nurserymen, but I am now of a 
different opinion. The wood of their young trained trees is rarely well ripened ; 
hence, I think, it is best to get rid of as much of it as possible. If the wood is 
ripe, take off one-third of it; but, as it is rarely ripe, it is better in such case to 
leave on one-third of it; and in some cases it is best to out down the tree closer. 
This of course delays fruiting, but we eventually get a better tree. 
I syringed my trees once during the flowering time,—as I perceived red 
spider, and the north-east wind was very desiccating. I would rather have less 
fruit and clean healthy foliage than the converse. I also gave my trees water at 
the roots three times during flowering, as the roots get fixed by the sun and 
desiccating north-east wind, which causes blister through excessive evaporation. 
I have had but little blister this year ; the few trees affected by it were lately 
from the nursery, and the blister, I think, is in some measure attributable to the 
neglect of the foliage in the previous year. 
I only allow my trees 18 inches of border, close to which is the road. I keep 
a greater number of trees restricted, instead of allowing a smaller number to 
ramble, as it enables me to have a greater choice of different fruits. To meet 
restriction I root-prune, and occasionally remove the trees carefully. Bestriction 
of the leaders would produce gum, unless the roots were somewhat curtailed to 
meet the restriction of the leaders. The leaders should not be restricted early in 
the season, unless the tree is heavily laden. This, and straining the branches, 
and tight ligatures, will certainly produce gum, which is one of the worst diseases 
of fruit trees. In order to make the same variety of Peach or Nectarine succes- 
sional, I plant a tree of it on a south, a west, and east wall. 
My coping sheets were removed May 19, and the fruits are partially removed, 
and the new wood tied in. I disbud but little ; and I agree with Mr. Knight’s 
system. He says, as quoted in the Modern Peach Pruner (p. 89), “ Instead of 
taking off so large a portion of the young shoots and training in a few only to a 
considerable length, as is usually done, I preserve a large number of young shoots 
which are emitted in the early spring by the yearling wood, shortening each 
where necessary, by pinching off the succulent points generally to the length of 
2 or 3 in. Spurs which lie close to the wall are thus made, upon which nume¬ 
rous blossoms form very early in the summer; and upon which, after most 
unfavourable seasons, and in situations so high and cold that the Peach in most 
