DUTCH APRICOT FORCING. 251 



After the pit had been filled from behind, through an opening 

 left for the purpose, with fresh horse-dung up to the wooden 

 partition, the whole was surrounded to the thickness of three 

 feet with a bed of leaves and dung. 



The forcing commenced on the 6th of January, with a maximum 

 temperature by day of + 5° Reaum. (43° Fahr.), the minimum 

 being + 1° Reaum. (35° Fahr.) By night the maximum was 

 + 4° Reaum. (41° Fahr.), the minimum + 1° Reaum. (35° 

 Fahr.). In the sunshine, however, the temperature rose to 3° 

 (7° Fahr.) more. 



The box [e 1) which encloses that in which the roots were 

 planted was completely filled with dung and leaves, in order to 

 maintain a moderate degree of warmth arouncl the roots and 

 induce them to produce fibres. Much depends on the tree having 

 produced abundance of these fibres before the buds are developed, 

 as the latter draw the greater part of their nourishment from 

 them. Throughout the autumn the roots had been kept very 

 dry, on which account a watering with warm water at the 

 temperature of i28° (95°) had become necessary. 



With Apricots it is particularly necessary to keep the tem- 

 perature as equable as possible, although in the night-time it 

 may be lowered. The diminution of temperature in the night- 

 time is indeed essential, as experience has shown it to be both 

 beneficial and useful. The tree would in the night without light 

 under a high temperature be drawn up, would send out long 

 weak shoots, and consequently bear small and bad fruits. On 

 dark days a diminution of temperature is for the same reason 

 iiecessary. 



After a lapse of eight days the temperature was raised. In 

 order to give a general view of the raising and diminution of the 

 temperature, I subjoin to this report the table of temperature 

 by which the tree was cultivated. This table was put up in the 

 pit, and everything connected with the operation was regularly 

 entered. 



Air is very beneficial to the Apricot-tree, consequently as much 

 as possible was given to it. During the night the ventilators of 

 the pit were kept open in order to reduce the temperature, and 

 also to remove any vapour from the dung which might have 

 penetrated. But in order to stop too great an influx of air, the 

 ventilating openings were covered with mats. 



The pit was covered dui-ing the night more or less, according to 

 circumstances, in order to keep up a regularity of growth, rather 



