OHAP. IV VILLA GARDENING 337 



need not be delayed, but may be done promptly. When Peaches 

 set thickly some of the young fruits must be thinned off early ; but 

 the final thinning need not be given, unless we are quite sure of 

 our crop, till the stoning is finished. Of course, where the trees 

 behave themselves, leaving more fruits on than are intended to 

 remain seems wrong in principle, and the practice can only be 

 defended because in the case of a tree which casts its fruit it is 

 impossible, until the critical period of stoning is over, to tell which 

 fruit will fiill and which will not. After the stone is formed in 

 the frait, more pressure in the shape of additional heat may be 

 given if necessary, but from 60° to 63° of night temperature should 

 be the maximum. Tyino- in the young wood is a detail the 

 necessity for which is so self-evident that I need scarcely refer to it 

 here. The syringing should be continued in suitable weather till 

 the fruit begins to colom-, especially if there are any signs of red- 

 spider. The supply of water to the roots, in which some stimu- 

 lant is dissolved, should be equal to the trees' wants, and the 

 water should always have the chill taken oft*. It is impossible to 

 say what should constitute a crop of fruit, as the burden should 

 be made about equal to strength and capacity. Some cidtivators, 

 when very fine fruits are required, content themselves with one 

 fruit to the square foot, others hang them on much closer. But 

 this is a question for individual decision. I may say here that 

 firmness of root-run is beneficial to all stone fruits. If the border 

 has been rightly constructed it can hardly get too firm, although, 

 of com-se, it should not be trodden when wet. 



To Give Flavour there must be abundant ventilation night 

 and day during the ripening period. If Peaches grown under glass 

 do not possess the full flavour and lusciousness which a good Peach 

 should possess, the cause in nine cases out of ten is deficient venti- 

 lation, with perhaps a wet, sour state of border. As soon as the 

 fruits begin to put on colour, and to take the last swelling, the 

 syringing may cease, and no more water, if the trees are planted in 

 the border, will be required at the roots. Early in the career of 

 the fruit steps should be taken to give it the fidlest exposure to 

 light ; the importance of this should never be lost sight of. In 

 thinning the fruits, only those situated on the upper side of the 

 trellis shoidd be left. Again, during the summer management and 

 training, the necessity for the full exposure of the fruit should be 

 provided for, and later on, if necessary, a leaf or two, if they 

 overshadow fruits near, should be removed. In gathering, it 

 should be remembered that the fruit is soft and easily damaged. 

 When nearly ripe the least pinch or bruise leaves a black spot in 

 the delicate flesh of the Peach. The fruits should be gathered two 



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