90 FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATEURS 



about the roots when planting, which is best carried out in October 

 or November. 



So far as disbudding and pruning are concerned, the advice 

 given in connection with these fruits out of doors is applicable. 

 As the shoots progress they must be tied down to the trellis, 

 otherwise they will grow towards the glass, and may become 

 scorched or bent. After the fruits are gathered, and throughout 

 autumn and winter, the glasshouse in which the Peach trees 

 are planted ought to be kept perfectly cool ; the ventilators 

 should be left open day and night, unless the weather is 

 frosty. 



When the trees are leafless an opportunity should be taken to 

 cleanse them by syringeing with paraffin emulsion made by dis- 

 solving a pound of soft soap in a little hot water and adding 

 sufficient hot water to make 2 gallons of liquid ; a wineglassful 

 of paraffin is then poured in. The mixture must be kept well 

 stirred when in use, or the paraffin remains on top. It is a good 

 plan to limewash the walls during winter ; this helps to keep 

 down insect pests. 



While the trees are dormant, some time during winter, the 

 branches should be taken down from the trellis, all old ties being 

 removed. The branches are then well syringed with Gishurst 

 Compound or paraffin emulsion. It may now be seen whether 

 too many shoots were left when disbudding was carried out. 

 When tied again to the trellis the branches ought to be about 

 4 inches apart; they should be tied as straightly as possible 

 so that the tree may be made shapely. If some of the shoots 

 are soft and thin at the ends they should be shortened, and 

 any which tend to destroy the symmetry of the tree ought to 

 be treated similarly. 



Great care must be taken to cut the shoots immediately 

 above a wood bud ; that is to say, one that will produce a 

 shoot. If the branch is shortened to a blossom bud it wiK 

 die back to the nearest wood bud. A blossom bud is rounded, 

 while a wood bud is pointed ; the difference is marked and is 

 easily noticed. 



The border should be thoroughly well watered in autumn. 

 If it is outside the glasshouse, no more is likely to be needed until 

 spring ; if inside, water may again be needed before spring. 

 It is most necessary not to allow the soil to get dry at anj? 

 time. 



