1871.] SETTING OF GRAPES AND PEACHES. 153 



and illustration of tlie matter was so apparently indisputable and satis- 

 factory, that we never questioned the " blaw-aboot " theory for many a 

 day after ; indeed, from that day to this, we have never heard a more 

 satisfactory reason given, and till this day the advice continually pro- 

 mulgated is, " Keep up a dry atmosphere where Vines and Peaches are 

 in bloom," and the advice is accepted and acted upon as a matter of 

 faith more than anything else. Now, with all respect for the opinions 

 of others with greater experience, we venture to think, according 

 to our own experience, that if a constantly dry atmosphere, aided 

 by fire-heat from beginning till end of the blooming period, is not a 

 positive evil, it is at least unattended with any good results. Every 

 one has noticed how the foliage of Vines and Peach-trees droops under 

 a bright sun, particularly after a tack of dull weather, and how a dew- 

 ing with the syringe restores energy again. Is it unreasonable to sup- 

 pose that the blossom is affected by the same causes, and that the 

 vitality is thereby impaired at a very critical period? One would 

 think that a dry sunny day, followed by an arid atmosphere from hot- 

 water pipes at night, were very unfavourable conditions for plant life 

 at any time, and about as directly opposed to nature as anything could 

 be. But if any one will take the trouble to examine a Peach-tree 

 bloom under these circumstances they will see for themselves; the very 

 feel of the atmosphere at such times is disagreeable, and smells of de- 

 struction — a rather vague test of what is suitable for a plant, some of 

 your readers may think; but I am half a believer in the "bond of sym- 

 pathy" that some suppose to unite man with nature. At all events, 

 it was while pondering the matter over in this light, some years ago, 

 and rather out of conceit with the " high-and-dry " theory, that we 

 began to experiment in the opposite direction ; and the result is, that 

 for the last two years or more we have treated our Vines, Peaches, 

 and other things when in bloom pretty much the same as at other 

 times, believing that what is conducive to a healthy development 

 of the foliage must have a beneficial effect upon the flowers and fruit 

 also. Last season we syringed our early and late Peach-trees regularly 

 while in bloom, once a-day in the afternoon, and damped the floors at 

 other times, and Peaches and Nectarines set so thick in most cases as 

 to be actually troublesome. The fruit had to be thinned three times 

 bafore stoning, and once after. Our Muscat Vines were also syringed 

 frequently while in bloom, dewing the bunches over gently, but 

 thoroughly, with a fine syringe. As a precaution, we were careful 

 also to syringe our first bunches of Golden Champion, knowing there 

 was a tinge of the Cannon Hall in it. The set in both cases was 

 abundant, and better than formerly. The four bunches of Golden 

 Champion led off first in two classes at a large provincial show after- 



