APPLESGROWING UNDER GLASS. 3, 



Watering (Vol. I., page 57) judiciously in periods of heat and drought may save the 

 foliage from red spider, and the fruit from becoming mealy. Watering outdoor fruits, 

 especially the apple, is not commended as a rule of practice; but it is an excellent plan 

 to apply water before the soil becomes too dry for healthy growth, never waiting until 

 the tree shows signs of distress. Hot and shallow soil require careful attention in 

 respect of watering. Apple trees prefer a cool and moist soil, and soils not naturally 

 retentive must have natural deficiencies made good by artificial waterings and mulching. 

 This particularly applies to trees growing against walls and fences. 



Syringing the trees in the evening during dry periods saves them from many disasters 

 incidental to their growth in hot soils, namely, small fruit, rusty foliage, dying back at 

 the tips of the branches, and blossoms annually cast without setting fruit. Clean and 

 healthy foliage is indispensable to perfect bud formation. Trees suffering from drought 

 at the roots, and having their leaf juices abstracted by parasites, always form imperfect 

 blossom buds. 



The following subjects have received a legitimate share of attention, and need only 

 referring to as applicable in essential points to apples : birds and buds, Vol. I., pages 

 190, 191, the bullfinch being the chief destroyer of apple tree buds ; preserving buds, Vol. I., 

 pages 191-192, the means needing to be applied later than for most other fruit trees, as 

 apple buds are taken last; protecting blossom, Vol. I., pages 193-197, seldom carried 

 out effectively, but well repaying the trouble; thinning fruit, Vol. I., pages 197-200, 

 to which attention should be given, as many trees that produce indifferent fruit would 

 have their crops greatly improved both in appearance and quality by judicious thinning ; 

 perfecting and protecting fruit, Vol. I., pages 200-202. These matters are of the greatest 

 importance, for the choicest specimens may be deteriorated in value by attacks of wasps, 

 and the crops imperilled by the onslaughts of the blue titmouse, and in some cases 

 blackbirds commit great havoc on the tender-fleshed apples, such as Worcester Pearmain 

 and Peasgood's Nonesuch. 



Tests for gathering, with instructions, are given in Vol. I., pages 202, 203, and 

 special attention is given to apples in remarks on storing and fruit-rooms, Vol. I., pages 

 203-214. 



GROWING APPLES UNDER GLASS. 



In cold, wet, exposed, and elevated localities the choicer varieties do not attain the 

 size, colour, and clear skin in their fruits that is desirable. Indeed, apples grown under 



