IN INDIAN SUMMERS 



pressure, is to cut open a fruit and see if the pips have 

 turned dark, but it will only be a guide to fruits in the 

 same stage of development as the one operated upon. 



Peaches and Nectarines. — In houses where Peaches are 

 now ripening the ventilation should be free, as abund- 

 ance of air will be a great 

 help. The tying or nail- 

 ing in of the young wood 

 of trees which have been 

 cleared of their fruit 

 should be completed as 

 soon as possible. 



Pruning Fruit Trees. — 

 The annual pruning of 

 fruit trees is generally 

 done in winter, and the 

 -whole subject is dealt 

 with fully in Chapter I,, 

 but a ripening process 

 of great importance is 

 now going on ; the shoots 

 and buds are maturing, and much unseen and often unsus- 

 pected work is proceeding that has a considerable bearing 

 on the future crop. For this reason it is often wise to thin 

 crowded trees in September. Large branches can be 

 removed safely, as growth for the year is practically 

 over. The thinning enables sun heat to operate more 

 effectually on the wood left. Apples, Pears, Plums, and 

 Cherries may all be operated upon. 



Sept. 

 1-15 



Fig. 72.— Pruning out Large Branches 

 OF Crowded Fruit Trees. 



a. Cross branches which must be cut out. 



b. Larger branches which should be cut 

 from the centre of the tree. 



Vegetables 



Work is not very active in the kitchen garden 

 during the early part of September, but the work of 

 333 



