The gardener's assistant; a practical and scientific exposition of the art of gardening in all its branches (1910) (14784748465)

Identifier: gardenersassista04thom (find matches)
Title: The gardener's assistant; a practical and scientific exposition of the art of gardening in all its branches
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Thompson, Robert, 1798-1869 Watson, William, 1858-1925
Subjects: Gardening Horticulture
Publisher: London : The Gresham Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library



Text Appearing Before Image:
the Peach-tree will be in full flower against a south wallin the last week in March; and if the meantemperature of April is 49°, that of May 55°,June 61°, July 64°, and August 63°, the seasonmay be considered a favourable one. The generalcrop in that case will be ripe in late-August orfirst week in September, and the fruit be of ahigh degree of perfection. By artificial- means, or in a warmer climate,the above period of five months from the timeof flowering to that of ripening may be reducedto four, but not advantageously to a shorterperiod, except in the case of very early varieties.From the above it will be seen that the Peachflowers at a comparatively cool period. Theblossoms may be destroyed by too much heat, THE PEACH AND NECTAEINE. 167 but not by cold, unless actually frozen; there-fore no warmer coverings than are just sufficientto keep out frost are necessary. Open-air Culture. Soil and Situation.—In the British Islands thePeach requires a wall. In the southern parts of
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 965.—Peach. Walburton Admirable. the kingdom it will succeed on an east or westaspect, if the locality is not too elevated andexposed to cold winds, nor, on the other hand,too low and subject to damp and fogs, in conse-quence of which the wood does not become per-fectly ripened. But the most favourable situationis a wall with a southern aspect. As the Peachrequires to be trained against a wall, it followsthat its roots must occupy a border in front. Ifthis is made as recommended in the chapters onthe formation of the fruit and kitchen garden,it will be fit for the reception of the Peach. Inold gardens, or others in which the borders havebeen formed, some improvements ought to bemade before young trees are planted. It willtherefore be necessary to point out, first, thesoils, subsoils, and other circumstances whichare unfavourable to healthy growth, so thatthey may be avoided or remedied. The subsoil should be first examined as to itscondition with regard to moisture. If it is to