THE PLUM HOUSE. 51 



can then be used for show Balsams for seed. The 

 cordon Plums, of course, always remain stationary, but 

 with all the air that it is possible to give them, with 

 frequent syringings. No aphides must be allowed on 

 them, but no syringing should be done after the fruit 

 begins to show. The constant pinching back of the 

 young growth throughout the summer must be done, 

 and the same to the pot-Plums, with a daily watering 

 and once a week some liquid manure should be given 

 them till the fruit is fully grown, when it may be 

 discontinued. 



Now, in a business way, suppose 120 Balsams are 

 seeded in this house from the time the Plums are 

 removed till November, the time they should be re- 

 placed in the house again, at the rate of 2s. worth of 

 seed per plant that would be I2L in full. Thus it may 

 be seen that a fair living for a small family can be 

 realised from this one house. But let the reader bear 

 in mind that it is easier to calculate these figures than 

 it is to realise the amount. 



Let no one, moreover, suppose for a moment that 

 nothing more is to be done than to get the trees and 

 to place them in the house. Some degree of care and 

 trouble is required, including attention to the watering, 

 ventilation, syringing, smoking to kill the aphides &c., 

 a careful lifting of the cordons' and replanting them 

 annually while they are young, the constant nipping 

 out of the points of the summer growth, and top- 

 dressing of the pots with a weekly watering of liquid 

 manure during the summer growth, are things not to 

 be omitted. Also ventilation during the growth and 

 flowering in the spring and a daily syringing before 

 the blossom opens not while it is fully expanded, but 



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