738 



HORTICULTURE 



May 17, 1913 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BT 



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Qi'estlons by our readers Id line with any of the toplca presented on tbls page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Penson. Such communications shoold Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



FtQishing Peaches and Nectarines 



The earliest trees in the first peach house will now be 

 ripening their fruit. Duke of York peach and Cardinal 

 nectarine will probably be in the lead followed by Alex- 

 ander and Hale's Early peaches and Early Rivers nec- 

 tarine. The latter is second to none in the early house, 

 excepting that Cardinal has it beat by about ten days 

 in coming in. To obtain the maximum of color all 

 fruits should have been previously exposed to the sun by 

 placing a piece of lath behind each. This makes them 

 stand out from the trellis and often places them beyond 

 the reach of the foliage. Occasionally it is impossible to 

 use the lath or piece of wood without taking a big risk 

 of pushing the fruit off altogether; in such a case push 

 the foliage (which will naturally be covering the fruit 

 on a cross-trellis) to the back side. While it is never 

 policy to advocate the removing of any good healthy 

 foliage from a growing fruit tree, an exception some- 

 times has to be made when seeking a perfect finish to a 

 peach or nectarine. A leaf may lie right across a fruit 

 and remain there after all persuasion to take a back seat 

 has been brought to bear on it. Such a one is bes^t 

 pinched off or you will get a study in black and white 

 on the fruit. Nothing that I know of demonstrates tiio 

 sun's power and action so plainly as a nectarine so col- 

 ored. Should there be a bunch of leaves hiding a fruit 

 as we often find on pot trees, these can very advantage- 

 ously be tied in a bunch for a week or so until the fruit 

 is removed. 



Immediately on detecting the first signs of ripening— 

 usually a rich fragrance from the fruit — discontinue 

 syringing. This should be done gradually by using the 

 hose in a morning only for a week, in which time prob- 

 ably all will be "on the turn." Feeding must cease, but 

 see that the trees do not want for water. Air should be 

 given more abundantly, but do not lose sight of the fact 

 that there are other trees coming along in the same 

 house. Wliat might be termed "a betwixt and between"' 

 line must be drawn. A crack of air ought to be left on 

 all night. If an excessive night temperature has been 

 maintained of late reduce this as the fruit ripens. 



A word of warning about suddenly bringing the fruits 

 into the full sunliglit or what is generally called "prop- 

 ing." There is a possibility of their burning for a few 

 days until they are accustomed to it, so a light shading 

 should be put on the glass, using something that will 

 remove easily. Whitening mixed with water or separated 

 milk can be removed with a dry brush or a stream from 

 the hose. Cardinal nectarines seem to liave a very ten- 

 der skin. 



Packing 



To pack peaches and nectarines so that they do not 

 show any signs of traveling wlicn at their destination 



require careful handling in the first instance and also 

 careful packing. Gather them before they are fully ripe. 

 Some trouble may be found in getting them off before 

 they are "willing." Peregrine is an offender in this re- 

 spect. When removing them do not try to do it all with 

 one finger and the thumb. Let the pressure be even and 

 all around. Have a receptacle ready to receive them on 

 removal. This can be a shallow wooden box having a 

 sheet of cotton-wool on the bottom with a piece of wax 

 paper laid over it. The best boxes for packing into are 

 made of wood and deep enough to take one layer only. 

 Cardboard boxes are all right if it is intended to send 

 them by messenger. For shipping by express wooden 

 boxes are the safest. Have the box lined with paper 

 first, following with thick cotton wool. Before com- 

 mencing to pack the fruit, cut up enough wax paper into 

 squares of a suitable size so that one nicely envelopes a 

 fruit. The cotton-wool can also be made ready in a like 

 manner. This makes packing easier and quicker; being 

 laid in a convenient place they are picked up in rotation. 

 First the fruit is wrapped in wax paper, then in cotton- 

 wool and placed in a box. When the box is filled an- 

 other sheet of wool is laid on the top, which, if tlie boxes 

 are made for the purpose will nicely fill it so that they 

 cannot move. Packed thus both peaches and nectarines 

 sliould travel without any injury whatever. 



Finishing: Grapes 



Grapes will have been cutting from pot vines since 

 the last week in April. Keep the house dryer to enable 

 any still hanging to keep in good condition. Do not, 

 however, let the roots want for water. The early vinery 

 will now be coloring and probably (if not already done), 

 a light shading on the glass will be beneficial. Not only 

 does it prevent scalding of the berries and a possible 

 burning of the foliage, but it keeps so much more moist- 

 ure in the house. Feeding must be of quick-acting man- 

 ures to push all that can be into the berries. 



Late Vineries 



Late vineries will be in full flower and should be kept 

 a little dryer about noon to enable the pollen to move 

 around. No difficulty will be experienced in setting 

 tliese. Give the rods a shaking at noon after getting 

 on all the air the weather will permit. Get busy with 

 the scissors soon after the berries are set as they swell 

 with great rapidity. Black Alicante and Gros Colman 

 and other inmates of this house, set so thickly that a 

 little swelling makes a tight bunch, which takes double 

 the time to thin than it would if taken in time. 



Apples and Peats 



Apples and pears will take all the feeding they can get 

 prior to finishing. Cramped info small pots tlie roots ' 

 iiave not the chance to seek for it. Keep the trees well " 

 syringed and look out for a]ihis which at times will 

 creep in in spite of diligence. Fumigate before they be- 

 come an established tenant, fnllmving it uji willi a little 

 extra water pressure. 



