1873-] ' PEACH CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 363 



for forcing. I have an objection to a Peach border becoming dusty-dry 

 at any time ; for if the trees once become too dry, and are then copiously 

 watered, and started soon after, they are apt to cast their bloom-buds 

 after they begin to swell. Under ordinary circumstances I have found 

 a good watering when the house is about to be started, another after 

 the fruit are set, sufficient. After this the constant syringing and 

 damping keep the border from drying, and the watering after they 

 are set will carry them to the stoning process. After they are stoned, 

 two waterings will be enough till the fruit begin to ripen. Then 

 mulch the border with short dung, and no more water should be ap- 

 plied till the fruit are all gathered, after which the border must be 

 kept moist till the wood is ripe, and the leaves dropping. 



Manure-water may be freely applied at all times of watering in the 

 case of full-grown, free-bearing trees. Young trees growing vigorously 

 should not have manure-water, as their tendency to a gross growth 

 will be stimulated by it. 



EIPEXING AND GATHERING THE FRUIT. 



The colour and flavour of Peaches and Nectarines are perhaps more 

 dependent on given circumstances than are the same qualities in any 

 other fruit. Unless the sun shine directly on the fruit, it will not at- 

 tain its proper colour ; and unless, in addition to exposure to sun- 

 shine, they are subjected to a circulation of dry, warm air, the flavour 

 is sure to be deficient. Consequently all leaves that intercept direct 

 sunshine must be pushed aside, after the fruit has begun to take its 

 last sw^elling. If the leaves cannot all be laid eff'ectually aside, it is 

 better to remove all or half the leaves of some than that they should 

 shade the fruit. I have rarely found it necessary to cut the leaves or 

 remove them entirely. When the wood is not too thickly tied in, such 

 a necessity seldom occurs. 



As directed under the head of ventilation, the Peach-house should 

 be freely opened at top and front all day, and the wet-weather ventila- 

 tion left open all night. The practice of pulling down the sashes, 

 where this can be adopted, entirely exposing the fruit to sun and air, 

 in ripening and colouring summer and autumn Peaches, is a good one. 

 It gives high colour and flavour. Of course this should only be prac- 

 tised when the weather is clear and dry. 



The experienced eye can tell, in case of the majority of sorts, when 

 the fruit are fit to gather without handling them : when they are hand- 

 led it should be with great nicety of touch, the Peach being very easily 

 blemished when ripe. The crop should be looked over every day, 

 placing the fingers gently behind those fruits that appear the ripest, 

 and if with a gentle pressure from the branch the fruit does not easily 



