72 THE BOOK OF THE PEACH. 



completion of this process the fruits begin to swell 

 again ; hence the term " second swelling.") About 

 a pint measure of dust-lime or whiting, passed 

 through a fine meshed sieve, stirred into a vessel 

 containing about two gallons of clean water, and 

 then applied to the glass roof in a fine spray 

 through a garden syringe, will afford ample pro- 

 tection to the young tender-skinned nectarines in 

 interrupting the sun's rays. This shade has an 

 advantage. It can be easily and cheaply made, as 

 well as quickly applied to and removed from the 

 roof glass when needed. In extra hot weather it is 

 sometimes advisable to put a light shading of this 

 kind over peach-houses in which the fruit is ripe, in 

 order to prolong the supply by intercepting and sub- 

 duing the sun's force. The foregoing remarks apply 

 chiefly to fruit growing in lean-to and three-quarter- 

 span houses having aspects facing south-east, south, 

 or south-west. 



GUARDING AGAINST RIPE PEACHES BEING INJURED 

 IN FALLING OFF THE TREES. 



In the case of fruit grown for home use, some 

 means must be employed to prevent ripe fruit falling 

 from the trees sustaining injury through coming in 

 contact with any hard substance such as, for 

 instance, the border or trellised pathway. A good 



