1S73.] PEACH CULTURE UNDER GLASS, 3G1 



dent " G. G." every success with his terrestrial Orchids, and hope that 

 other horticulturists may be induced to attempt the culture of hardy 

 Orchids, and that, like "G. G.," they will frankly favour us with practi- 

 cal notes of their experience. B. 



PEACH CULTURE UlSTDER GLASS. 



VENTILATION. 



The Peach dislikes a close, stagnant atmosphere, and should be as 

 freely ventilated as circumstances will admit of all through the pro- 

 cess of forcing. If the house is kept too close and moist before the 

 blossom expands, such conditions are sure to produce weakly blossom, 

 and also dispose the wood-buds to too much precede the blossom, 

 always an evil to be guarded against. Therefore give air, more or less, 

 daily as weather permits, from the time the house is first shut up ; 

 and when the blossom is open, air freely on all dry days, and leave a 

 little on all night, but guard against currents of cold frosty air. Most 

 early forcers of the Peach will have observed that wherever cold gusts 

 of frosty air have reached any part of the tree, at that particular part 

 the process of setting has been the least satisfactory. While a circula- 

 tion of dry warm air is desirable, it should be admitted in small 

 quantities at many points, so as to prevent the blossoms from being 

 subjected to blasts of it. In the case of early forcing, front ventilation 

 should not be applied, unless the air can first be warmed, at least until 

 the fruit have approached the colouring and ripening stage. Like fir- 

 ing, ventilation must be cautiously regulated, according to the state of 

 the weather, and when the fruit are ripe, a free circulation of warm 

 dry air is necessary to flavour and colour them. 



MOISTURE IN THE AIH AND SYRINGING. 



Although the Peach is a moisture-loving plant, I do not approve of 

 heavy and too frequent syringing at mid-winter before the fruit are 

 set. As has already been said, it has a tendency to bring the foliage 

 too much in advance of the blossoms. Notwithstanding all that has 

 been said in favour of syringing heavily when forcing is commenced, 

 to cause the bloom-buds to swell freely, I have never observed that, 

 with the house kept moderately moist without syringing, the blossoms 

 burst at all less vigorous when syringing has never been practised till 

 the fruit are set. The floor and paths should be sprinkled at shutting 

 time, and on bright mornings after cold nights when extra fire-heat has 

 been applied. As soon as the fruit are set, the syringe should be 



