480 CULTURE OF THE PEACH UNDER GLASS. 



with dung, and, after forcing is commenced, those in the inside may be 

 occasionally watered with liquid manure ; but no manure whatever is 

 required till such time as the trees are in a bearing state. 



General Treatment. From the rise of the sap, it occupies in some 

 sorts about four months to make mature fruit ; in the later varieties, 

 five months ; and when much of the winter is included in the course of 

 forcing, the time is proportionally lengthened. To ripen moderately 

 early kinds by the end of May, begin to force on the 21st of Decem- 

 ber. Little is gained by commencing sooner. Begin with a temperature 

 of 45 maximum, from fire-heat, and rise in a fortnight to 50 maxi- 

 mum, from fire-heat, giving plenty of air. In the progress of the 

 second fortnight, augment the temperature from three to eight degrees, 

 so as to have it at the close up to 53 minimum, 56 maximum, from 

 sun -heat, admitting air in some degree daily. When the trees are in 

 blossom, let the heat be 55 minimum, 60 maximum. Continue 

 this treatment till the fruit is set and swelling. When the fruit is set, 

 raise the minimum to 60, the artificial maximum to 65, in order to 

 give fresh air ; when the sun shines, do not let the maximum from col- 

 lected heat pass 70, rather employing the opportunity to admit a free 

 circulation of air. While the fruit is in blossom, heavy syringing over 

 head should be avoided, but a slight drenching at night refreshes and 

 strengthens the flowers, and probably causes them to set more freely. 

 The roots at this period must neither have an excess nor suffer from a 

 scarcity of water, as either extreme is apt to cause the trees to shed 

 their blossoms. An important point to be attended to in watering is 

 to let the water be warmed to the same temperature as the air of the 

 house. When the fruit is ripening, its flavour is improved by direct 

 exposure to the sun and air, and too much air can hardly be given. 

 When it is quite ripe, the border should be covered with moss, or 

 some soft substance, or nets suspended under the trees, to prevent 

 those which drop off from being bruised ; but the best flavour is 

 obtained by gathering the fruit a day before it is quite ripe, and 

 ripening it for twenty or thirty hours in the fruit-room. 



Insects and Diseases. The red spider is the grand enemy to the 

 peach-tree ; but it is also attacked by mildew, the aphis, thrips, ants, 

 and sometimes even by the coccus. Their ravages become apparent by 

 the leaves curling up, and often by the ends of the shoots becoming 

 bunched and clammy, which retards their shooting. In this case it is 

 advisable to pick off the infected leaves, and cut away the distempered 

 part of the shoots. Further to check the mischief, if the weather be 

 hot and dry, give the trees a smart watering over head with a garden 

 engine. It should be applied two or three times a week, or even once 

 a day. The best time of the day is the afternoon, when the power of 

 the sun is declining. These waterings will clear the leaves, branches, 

 and fruit from any contracted foulness, refresh and revive the whole 

 considerably, and conduce greatly to exterminate the insects. Wash- 

 ings with soot or quassia-chip water, will likewise exterminate the i'y, 

 and dustings with sulphur and lime, either on the shoots or floors, 

 extirpate mildew and red spider. Tobacco dust or smoke will also be 



