26 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



laden atmosphere, and similarly what ought to have been valuable crops of grapes, 

 melons, and other fruits under glass, have been spoiled. It was long thought by 

 most, and is still thought by many gardeners, that it was the pressure of sap from the 

 roots alone that caused the injuries. In exceptional cases this may have been so, but 

 an excess of moisture in the air has often been the chief, but unsuspected, cause of the 

 evil. This is proved by the fact that fruit will split under certain conditions, whether 

 it is cut off the vines or plants or left on them. The natural preventive, simple and 

 effectual, is a drier and buoyant atmosphere during the ripening period. The truth 

 of this is sustained by practice or thoughtful compliance with one of the laws of 

 nature, which cannot be broken with impunity. 



Thus are practical lessons taught by scientific facts, and it will be the endeavour 

 to teach sound doctrine on fruit culture and management in this work. 



