CHAP. V VILLA GARDENING 341 



of the young -wood, the removal of laterals, and the thinning of the 

 fruit is routine work, the details of which have already been 

 noticed, and is much the same in all Peach culture under glass. I 

 need only say further respecting it that delay in the -carrying out of 

 any necessary operation may have injmious consequences, and in 

 glasshouses the best work only should be insisted on. 



The Life History of the Peach, regarded simply as a fruit, 

 may be divided into periods. First, there is the embryo state in 

 the interior of the blossom waiting for the development of the 

 various organs which have been provided by Nature for its fertilisa- 

 tion, and wliich are so timed as to reach the proper state for per- 

 forming the various duties assigned to each at the right time. 

 Trees in good health, with well-developed and well-matured parts, 

 seldom fail to set their fruit more thickly than is required. When 

 Peaches fail to set or drop diu'ing their growth there is always a 

 cause — either the trees are out of health or condition, or else the 

 cultural details have been wrong. The second period of life of the 

 Peach is a time of rapid growth, and extends until the formation 

 of the stone begins. Regularity and steadiness should accompany 

 this stage. The external air is often cold, and the ventilation, to 

 avoid the admission of cold currents, requires attention ; chilled 

 water only shoidd be used for all purposes, and when the trees are 

 syringed it shoidd be done early enough, if done in the afternoon, 

 for the leaves to get quite dry before night. The stoning period 

 is an important one, and for two or three weeks seems to absorb 

 the force of the tree, for though the work must be going on there 

 is no visible progress. It seems as if Nature was resting, gathering 

 up her forces for the final rush to the goal (though of course we 

 know the work is incessant), and the period, as regards the crop, 

 is a critical one. If there is any defect in the supply of nourish- 

 ment to the tree, and any dry spots in the border, the effect will 

 be seen now in cast-off fruit. But when the stoning period is past 

 the crop is safe, and it will for a time bear a little more pressure 

 if rapidity is desired, until the fourth or ripening period is entered, 

 which admits of no forcing or hurrying. To obtain fine flavour in 

 Peaches, during the last fortnight there should be ventilation 

 night and day, accompanied by dryness in the atmosphere, and no 

 water should be applied to the borders. It is best to anticipate 

 the perfect ripening of the fruits by a day or two, as in tlie even 

 temperature of the fruit-room, the friiits, when set out thinly, 

 ripen more regularly and the flavour comes up better. Experience 

 will soon teach even the novice, if he is intelligent, when to gather 

 the fruits so as to have them in the best possible condition. When 

 all are gathered, the trees, if there are signs of red-spider, should 



