62 THE BOOK OF THE PEACH. 



arrives, when the temperature may be run up to 

 90, with plenty of moisture being distributed in 

 the house at the same time. 



The above-mentioned temperatures are applicable 

 to peach-houses closed any time between the begin- 

 ning of December and the beginning or middle of 

 February, when trees growing under glass in cool 

 houses will push into flower of their own accord, 

 without having received any assistance whatever in 

 the way of fire-heat. 



SETTING THE BLOSSOMS. 



In the case of early forced peaches it will be 

 advisable to fertilise the individual expanded flowers 

 by passing some soft substance over them about 

 mid-day when the pollen is dry in order to secure 

 a good " set " of fruit on each peach and nectarine 

 tree. For this purpose the " time-honoured " 

 rabbit's tail tied on the end of a stick answers 

 admirably. The work may be expeditiously and 

 effectually done by simply passing the mounted 

 tail lightly over the expanded flowers each day 

 as they open until a good crop of fruit is set. 

 Trees started later in the season that is, houses 

 being kept close and moist so as to gently move 

 the trees into growth open their flowers under 

 more favourable conditions as regards increased 



