252 DUTCH APEICOT FORCING. 



below than above. The beds of dung round the pit were several 

 times raised or changed ; this operation was regulated by the 

 external and internal temperature. 



Under this treatment the buds developed with great vigour. 

 An examination of the roots showed that they had formed a great 

 number of new fibres. The tree perfected its flowers about the 

 8th of February. The pit was now no longer covered at night, 

 the temperature lowered, all moisture kept carefully away, and as 

 much air given as the outer temperature admitted of. When the 

 sun shone it was slightly shaded from 11 to 2 o'clock; but sun- 

 shine occurred so rarely that the pit had only once to be actually 

 shaded. On the other hand, the rain often obliged me to cover 

 the pit with a second set of lights, in order to keep out the 

 damp. 



After the lapse of a week it was observed that several flowers, 

 in the centre of the tree, had set • this was taken as an indication 

 for raising the temperature, in order to induce a more rapid 

 growth of the fruit. It is very important to observe accurately 

 the setting of the fruits, for if they do not then receive sufficient 

 warmth, and they only remain stationary a few days, their early 

 fall may very easily follow. They must rapidly throw off the 

 remains of their flowers, which is effected by a rapid growth, for, 

 if these remain long about the young fruit, the latter will, 

 indubitably, rot. In the open air we may often observe this fact, 

 on the Cherry, for instance, which will blow splendidly, but from 

 this same cause, not bear fruit ; the warmth necessary for their 

 proper setting is wanting. In forcing, the gardener has in his 

 own power the means of regulating the heat necessary for the 

 flower. 



The pit was now shaded from the bright mid-day's sun. A 

 gentle sprinkling on sunny days proved of great use, and as it 

 was given very early in the day, the sun removed all damp before 

 night. This watering was, however, not given till after the 

 remains of the flowers had all fallen. The vegetation in the 

 pit was vigorous, the leaves opened out satisfactorily, and the 

 young fruits grew on happily. The few insects which appeared 

 were carefully removed ; some caterpillars of the Tortrix Berg- 

 manniana, which had rolled themselves up in the young leaves, 

 were destroyed. A few aphides were found at the extremities of 

 the young shoots, about the time when the stones were forming. 

 On that evening, and the following morning, they were strongly 

 fumigated with tobacco, which still remains one of the surest 



