98 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



by hand labour. This will kill small weeds, render the 

 summer cultivation easier, and prevent that evaporation of 

 moisture which goes on where land is hard and unmoved. 

 Fruit-trees will now be blossoming, and great damage may 

 be done by early frosts. This cannot always be prevented ; 

 but smother fires, so arranged that their smoke travels across 

 the plantation, will often be of service. Weeds should be 

 destroyed. 



MAY 



Apple blossom will now be abundant. The Apple 

 sucker pest may necessitate spraying, and a late crop of 

 winter moth larvae may also be in evidence. A good spray- 

 ing as soon as the petals of the blossoms fall will be ad- 

 visable in plantations that have been injured in the past 

 year ; the check to growth caused by cold nights and frosts 

 is favourable to insect pests, and extra attention is required 

 at this period. Weeds must be destroyed, and even when 

 there are but few, the hoe will be of service in keeping a 

 surface tilth. Towards the end of May, where trees are 

 promising a heavy crop, a mulching of long strawy manure 

 will be beneficial. It is of little use close to the stems, but 

 should be spread over a circular space 6 feet wide at 

 3 feet from the main stems. If dry weather sets in, the 

 soil round newly planted trees should be stirred and well 

 pulverised, in case the surface may cake and crack ; a 

 mulch of short manure afterwards will be useful. Young 

 trees that show signs of distress may be thoroughly watered. 

 The growths from buds upon young stocks, if 9 inches 

 in length, should now be tied to the stock for safety. Grafts 

 inserted last March will now require the bands to be loosened 



