34 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



to the base of the branches, and, having advantage of every ray of sun, the crops are abun- 

 dant and fine. 



Borders. Drains with proper fall and outlet are essential where the site is not natu- 

 rally dry. A foot in depth of rubble over the drains, covered with 3 inches thickness of 

 old mortar rubbish or chalk, prevents the border becoming stagnant. The soil may 

 consist of turfy loam, rather strong, chopped up roughly, with one-tenth of quicklime 

 incorporated with it. If deficient in calcareous matter, add a sixth of old mortar rubbish 

 or one-tenth of chalk weathered by frost; if too light, add a fourth of clay marl, dried 

 and pounded ; if too stiff, add a fifth of sharp road- scrapings well weathered. Mix well 

 when the compost is rather dry, and put together rather firmly in the border. 



Planting. Select trees coming into bearing. Lift carefully, preferably with balls of 

 earth adhering to the roots, and plant firmly directly the leaves fall afford a good 

 watering, cover the soil 1 to 2 inches in thickness with short, rather lumpy stable 

 manure from the stem outwards beyond the spread of the roots, and secure the trees 

 loosely to the trellises or stakes, deferring proper adjustment till spring. 



Winter Treatment. Remove the roof lights after the fruit is gathered and the foliage 

 down. If the roof lights are removed while the trees have immature leafage, and sharp 

 frosts occur, they suffer injury from the sudden chill and deprivation of leaves. Per- 

 form the needful pruning, cleanse the trees and house, remove the remains of mulchings 

 without much disturbance of the surface roots, scraping off the loose soil, supplying an 

 inch of fresh loam, and over that sprinkle 4 ounces per square yard of this mixture : 

 steamed bone-meal, 5 pounds ; kainit, 2 pounds, mixed. If the trees need vigour, spread 

 a light dressing of short manure on the soil, leaving it there to decay. The roof lights 

 need not be replaced until the buds of the trees commence swelling in the spring ; yet 

 the lights should be put on the house before the leaves and blossoms appear. 



Summer Treatment. Leave an inch of ventilation by the top lights constantly, except 

 when frost prevails. Open the top ventilators when a shaded thermometer indicates be- 

 tween 40 and 45, the side lights at 50. Close the house at 50, and when the blossoms 

 show colour and until the fruit is set, admit about an inch of ventilation by the side lights 

 as well as by the top lights, having regard to the exclusion of frost. Up to the fruit set- 

 ting too much air cannot be admitted, never allowing the temperature to exceed 50 with- 

 out full ventilation in the first half of the day, and not closing so early as to raise the 

 temperature over 65. After the fruit commences swelling and the first leaves are of full 

 size, close the house at 3 P.M. on days which, from cloud alternating with gleams of sun, 



