CHAP. VI H VILLA GAKDENING 359 



from 14 to 18 feet apart. Tlie branches of tlie Cherry are so 

 flexible when young that they may be trained in any way the 

 cultivator desires. The fan shape answers well, and is understood 

 by everybody. In the estimation of some the horizontal has 

 advantages, but the Palmetta is at least equal to the horizontal. 

 No manure should be used in the .construction of the border if 

 the loam is of good quality. Rich top-dressing and liquid manure, 

 when the trees need support, are far better than planting in a rich 

 soil, as the former plan enables the cultivator to keep his trees 

 well in hand and under perfect control. The May Duke is the 

 best forcing Cherry, but others should be planted to give a suc- 

 cession. I have already pointed out the advantages of maiden 

 trees, and in such a border as I have described the trees may have 

 full swing, giving encouragement to the weakly parts of the tree in 

 summer by pinching a strong shoot, if needful, but doing little 

 knife pruning. When tying-in young shoots in summer be careful 

 to allow room enough for the wood to grow, as the Cherry progresses 

 rapidly under favourable conditions, and much mischief may be 

 done by a tight ligature. If the young trees are well selected, 

 healthy, and strong, very little heading back will be needed, only 

 removing the soft unripened points. Nothing is gained by over- 

 crowding the branches. From 7 to 9 inches is a good distance to 

 train such kinds as the May Duke. After the trees fill the trellis 

 and fairly settle down to work, they will go on for years bearing 

 full crops and making but little wood. With trees in this con- 

 dition it is not advisable to begin pinching too early — though all 

 superfluous growth should be removed before the fruit begins to 

 ripen. In forcing the Cherry or the Plum the start must be very 

 steady, commencing about the first or second week in February 

 with a night temperatm-e of 40", allowing 10° rise in the daytime, 

 or more if the sun shines. In the course of three or four weeks 

 the night temperature may advance to 45°, and it should not 

 much exceed this till the blossoms are set, when a further increase 

 to 50° may then take place. If at any time a little extra fire is 

 accidentally put on, or if, from a change of wind or any other 

 circumstance, the temperature should rise above 55° at the utmost 

 during the stoning period, ventilation should be resorted to im- 

 mediately, as one night of such neglect may cause the faikue 

 of the crop ; therefore constant watchfulness is needed, but those 

 who exercise this care find no difliculty. 



The Ventilation is, in fact, the most important point in 

 Cherry culture. A close stuft'y atmosphere is death to the blossoms 

 and the young fruit. After the fruits are stoned they will bear 

 pushing, but not sooner. At all times, night, and day, unless 



