364 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



separate from its stalk, leave it for another day. Each friiit should be 

 carefully laid upon its base in a basket, the bottom of which is lined 

 with wadding covered with tissue-paper, the fruit being regulated so 

 that one does not touch another. It is well to gather Peaches and 

 ^Nectarines for dessert six hours before they are sent to table, and 

 leave them in the fruit-room to cool. Nets are sometimes fixed, and 

 the fruit allowed to drop into them, but Peaches should never be 

 allowed to drop if it can be prevented. It is, however, best to use such 

 a precaution, to save any that may drop from injury. 



Peaches keep a good many days after they are ripe in a cool place. 

 In 1865 I kept such tender-fleshed varieties as Noblesse and Belle- 

 garde for twelve days in close tin boxes placed in an ice-house after 

 they were quite fit for table, and then exhibited them in Edinburgh. 

 Nectarines keep fully longer in this way. 



PACKIXG PEACHES TO BE SENT TO A DISTANCE. 



When Peaches have to be sent by railway and other conveyances, 

 great care is necessary in packing them. The safest way is to have 

 tin boxes divided into compartments 3| inches square and 4 inches 

 deep. In the bottom of each division put a little fine paper-shavings 

 pressed down. Wrap each fruit carefully in a piece of tissue-paper, 

 then set it on its base on a square of cotton wadding, which fold up 

 over the fruit, taking each corner between the fingers and thumb, and 

 drop it carefully into its place. There should be sufficient wadding 

 round each to prevent oscillation. Over the whole surface of the box 

 spread some fine paper-shavings, so that when the lid of the wooden 

 box, into which the tin case should fit tightly, is screwed down, the 

 shavings may press sufiiciently on the wadding to keep all steady with- 

 out bruising the fruit. In this way they can be sent long distances 

 without the slightest damage. Peaches and Nectarines to be sent in 

 this way should, however, never be over-rij)e. Indeed they should be 

 gathered a day earlier than when they are sent direct to table from 

 the garden. 



INSECTS. 



Red-Spider. — I have never found much difficulty in preventing red- 

 spider from gaining much of a footing on Peaches. Cleanliness in 

 connection with the wood-work, glass, and everything else, the dress- 

 ing recommended for the trees after they are pruned, and the syring- 

 ing recommended throughout the forcing season, are the best preven- 

 tives. When spider does make its appearance, attack it vigorously 

 with clean tepid water from the syringe or engine. After the fruit 

 are gathered a handful of flower of sulphur may be mixed with the 



