169. Fifth Pruning

Sixth year of planting. The operations of the fifth pruning are exactly the same as those of the fourth. The extremeties of the four branches a, b, c, d, are pruned to an equal length, and in proportion to their growth. We must carefully watch all the shoots on the upper sides of the branches, especially those on the two main branches, where the sap produces the strongest shoots, and which must be controlled; but the suppressions ought not to be too considerable, because the sap must be employed, lest its superabundance should cause disorder. We must endeavor to replace too vigorous shoots by the young ones that spring from their bases, or occasionally by a lateral; so that vegetation may still go on, but under circumstances that may admit of the growth being so regulated, by pinching, as to prevent over-luxuriance. Besides, much trouble may be avoided by lengthening the pruning, and restraining the vegetation, by nailing close to the wall.

170. At the time of the second disbudding, I choose, on the upper side of the main branch, three fruit-branches which have already .received one or more prunings. The three branches should be at equal distances, of the thickness of a quill, and, respectively, originating lower down the main branch than where each of the lower secondary branches takes its rise.

From these three branches, which are intended to become the three upper secondary branches,E,E,E , b, I take off all the useless young shoots situated in front and behind; and I make choice of one for a leader which, without being too vigorous, appears well conditioned. I winter-prune it to a wood-bud, and nail it somewhat more upright than the other fruit-branches, and so close to the wall that its growth may be moderate, and any disposition to the contrary must be checked.

171. This preparation for establishing the three upper branches,E,E,E,E, is not made till the following year in trees which have made only weak shoots, and in those of which the lower branches do not appear sufficiently strong; but then the tree is not completely formed when eight years old.

172. Sixth Pruning

Seventh year of planting. It will be perceived, by referring to fig. 11, that the main branch, a, bears three branches, E ,E , E, on its upper side, which are much more developed than any of the other productions on that side. These three branches are the ones preserved at the disbudding of the preceding season, and which are now becoming the three upper secondary branches. If it was not possible to form these the preceding year (170, 171) they must now be originated.

173. The pruning of the fruit-branches, and successional shoots, and the treatment of the young ones, by disbudding and pinching, are still carried on. The same course is adopted with regard to the four branches, a, b, C, d, the extremities of which are shortened back at the winter-pruning.

174. With regard to the three branches, E, E, E, their leading shoots are pruned, for the first time, by shortening them to wood-buds, situated at heights proportionate to the respective conditions and state of growth of the shoots. If any of them have blossom-buds, the shoots must be pruned to a wood-bud above the blossom-buds; and care must be taken to disbud, as soon as they push, all wood-buds situated below the flowers, with the exception of one or two wood-buds that are nearest the base of the shoots. Immediately after pruning, the three secondary branches, E, E, E, are nailed obliquely, tightening the shreds more or less as is needful; and afterwards all the young shoots that are retained are nailed in the same way. During the growing season, the progress of the leading shoots is watched, and they are pinched when necessary. Their laterals are also pitched to six or eight leaves. In short the growth of the branches of this part of the tree and that of their shoots must be particularly attended to lest they impoverish those below; the upper young shoots must be nailed these precaution, the leading shoot becomes too strong for the others, it must be cut on a lateral, situated in front, which must be immediately nailed in the proper direction, and close to the wall.

175. Seventh Pruning

Eighth, year of planting. This pruning is, in every respect, like the preceding. Tha main branch a (Fig. 11) is pruned for the seventh time; the branch b for the sixth; o for the fifth; and d for the fourth time. The secondary branches, e, e, e, are pruned for the second time since their formation was commenced, without counting the prunings on the fruit-branches from which they have originated. By designating all the principal branches by the letters of the alphabet, the whole course of proceeding can be seen at a glance, as the order of the alphabet also shows that of the formation of the branches. Thus, the letter a indicates the main branch that was first formed; whilst the three upper secondary branches are marked e, E, e, they being formed the last, and all three at one time.

176. The management of these three last-named branches is similar. They should always be nailed the first; and should be several times disbudded, and their shoots likewise pinched whenever it is necessary to do so. The essential point is to leave sufficient outlets for the sap, so that it may not open fresh ones by producing over-luxuriant shoots and laterals, which would monopolize an undue share of nourishment and impoverish the lower branches of the tree. The suppressions on the upper branches are made with the intention of checking the sap, so that it may nourish the lower parts of the branches, which, notwithstanding, sometimes remain inactive. We should, however, recollect, that the vegetation of the Peach tree being incessant till the end of October, in ordinary years, it is always possible to remedy disorder by adopting proper means when it appears.

177. Eighth Pruning

Ninth year of planting. Conducted during eight years in the way explained, and no accident happening to it, the Peach tree acquires at this pruning the form of a long and regular parallelogram. Fig. 11 represents the principal branches of a tree planted twelve years. The marks show the number of prunings which each branch has received; and the figures indicate the years in which the respective cuts opposite to them were made, reckoning from the second year of planting. Thus, the first cut on the branch E is marked 6, denoting that it was made in the year corresponding with that in which the main branch, a, received its sixth winter-pruning.

The tree covers a surface of about twenty-six feet in length and eight feet in height, and the extremities of the four branches, a, b, o, d, touch the same perpendicular line, whilst those of the three upper secondaries touch the same horizontal line as the extremity of the main branch, a. In other respects, the eighth pruning is the same as the seventh. The fourth upper secondary branch, being formed at a later period, does not exist at the eighth pruning.

178. The main branches are everywhere regularly furnished with fruit-branches. The tree, complete, as figured in my work, exists in my grounds; and it may be seen there, together with other thriving specimens which present the same regularity as ever, proving by their results that my method of square training is not only easy of execution, but durable in its effects. This is an advantage which those who treat on training do not always possess, and who would be greatly perplexed to show living examples of trees trained in accordance with their principles, although they may have had trees engraved as if such had been actually in existence.

179. During the ninth year from planting, the growth of shoots more or less vigorous, which will be developed on all the branches, must be watched, so as to modify and govern it according to the state of the tree, by means of pinching, disbudding, and nailing.

If, during the summer, any of the terminal shoots, E, E, E, grow too long, summer-pruning must be employed. The leader must be cut back on a lateral placed in front, and which is nailed in the best way to counteract its growth, and to keep these branches within their prescribed limits, as they are always more inclined than the others to grow too strong, owing to their almost vertical direction.