CHAP. VI . VILLA GARDENING 347 



trees, and this should be borne in mind ; but the whole subject 

 requires a great deal of thought. To give encouragement in some 

 cases and to repress in others, without overdoing it in either case, 

 requires the judgment which is born of experience, and the 

 knowledge which a wide study of the subject only can give. 



Genekal Management. — The directions and suggestions for 

 the late Peach-house may be read as applying with equal force to 

 the Orchard-house. The Plums and Cherries shoidd occupy light 

 positions near the ventilators, but they dislike cold currents of air 

 passing through them, especially in the early stages of growth ; 

 and on cold days, with the wind in the east, this should be avoided. 

 On such days when the sun is shining brightly, and air must be 

 given to keep down temperature, it is a good i)lan to hang some 

 strips of canvas (through which the air may be filtered) over 

 the ventilators. The disbudding and thinning of both wood and 

 fruits has been amply discussed elsewhere. I will only say 

 fm-ther that trees in pots must not be overloaded. Two dozen of 

 Peaches or Nectarines will be a heavy crop for a good-sized tree in 

 a pot. After the fnuts are set the syringe or garden engine should 

 be used frequently ; if used in the afternoon always do it early 

 enough to allow the foliage to get dry before night. The night 

 and early-morning ventilation are strong points in a sovmd practice, 

 — only they want to be carried out judiciously, taking into con- 

 sideration the state of the weather, size and aspect of the house, etc. 

 As soon as blossoms are fairly set, a top-dressing of loam and 

 manm-e may be placed on the surface of the pots. Llore water 

 will be required, and this will induce the roots to take posses- 

 sion of the top-dressing. When the fruit increases in size liquid 

 manure should be given freely, phosphates being more desirable 

 for stone fruits than manures abounding in nitrogen. As the 

 fruits begin to ripen, there must be full ventilation. It will be 

 better in grouping the trees to place the early sorts at one end and 

 the later kinds at the other, with the intermediate ripening varieties 

 in the middle. If this is done the late kinds can be receiving a 

 higher temperature to complete their growth, whilst the early 

 kinds are having full air to flavour the fruit. Sometimes it may 

 be desirable to combine the cidture of trees in pots vnth the 

 planting-out system. If the house is a large span-roofed structure, 

 standard trees may be planted down the central border and trees 

 in pots may occupy the side borders. If the house is not very 

 lofty, pyramidal trees may take the place of the standards. In 

 any case they must not be planted too thickly. One handsome 

 well-developed tree will bear more fruit than if two or three be 

 crowded into the same space. Besides, if the sun and air cannot 



