The Garden Under Glass

CHAPTER] XV PEACHES AND NECTARINES In cold districts it is very difficult to grow good peaches outside, especially now when the condition or disease, whichever it may be, known as “silver leaf ” is so prevalent. In any case the trees, being under perfect control, can be got to yield very satisfactory crops inside, year after year. It is but natural to expect that those who go to the expense of building a glass structure for these trees will not con-sider it waste of time and money to make up a good border and from the outset buy good young trees true to name from some good fruit grower. To ensure success I would advise that a border be made for peaches on similar lines to that advised for vines. It goes without saying that if drainage of the subsoil be needed this should be undertaken. It would be the height of folly to plant a peach-tree in soil where for any part of the year the water remained stagnant. If the soil be of a heavy plastic clay I would certainly advise concreting the bottom. If the whole site of the border be not concreted at least an area of three feet radius all round the tree could be done. This would effectively check any tap-roots, while the others on the outer part of the concrete could be cut off when found to be too strong or enticed to the surface before they become gross and fibreless. There is nothing to equal good turfy loam for fruit-trees generally, and on top of the drainage flags of this should be set grass side down wards. Then the compost should 166