3 6 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



surface, also partly round the sides of the pots, annually, and fresh added, making it firm; 

 while rich surface-dressings may be given during growth, along with liquid manures as 

 needed. Trees may be shifted into larger pots when the fruit is gathered, and before 

 the leaves fall. Freshly-potted trees should be stood on a well-drained base imper- 

 vious to worms, in a sunny, open, yet sheltered situation outdoors, and be plunged in 

 coal ashes over the rims of the pots, during the winter. 



During the first year the trees may remain outdoors, keeping them well supplied 

 with water and nourishment till they arrive at a promising bearing state, when they 

 may be placed under glass in the spring. As a rule and in most places it is advisable 

 to keep them under glass until their growths are sufficiently matured in bud and 

 wood for the succeeding year's fruit production, when they may be placed outdoors. 

 In favourable localities many trees are placed outside sooner and there mature their crops. 



The trees should be placed in the house in March, or before the buds are far advanced 

 in swelling, and it should be remembered that they succeed only in light, airy structures, 

 with plenty of room. Great attention must be paid to the watering when the fruit is 

 swelling. If the supply is inadequate, firm-fleshed apples may be gritty, and the tender- 

 fleshed mealy. After a tree has parted with its fruits, and the growths are firm, stand it 

 outside in the quarters already alluded to, watering as needed, and protect the roots in 

 winter by plunging the pots. Pruning consists in pinching irregular growths and thin- 

 ning to prevent overcrowding of the leaves. Strict attention must be given to cleanli- 

 ness, thinning the fruits, watering, and feeding, then the produce of apple trees in pot* 

 repays the trouble not otherwise. 



ENEMIES OP APPLES. 



Canker (Nectria ditissima) is the most disastrous malady to which apple trees are 

 liable, and has been fully treated in Vol. I., page 229. Mildew (Oidium farinosum) 

 attacks the young leaves and blossoms, and has had attention, Vol. I., page 245. Scab 

 (Cladosporium dendriticum) infests the leaves, young growths and fruit. In destructive 

 effects it is second only to canker. Its treatment is propounded, Vol. I., page 238. 



Speck (Oidium (Monilia) fructigenum) (Link). This fungus affects the fruits of the 

 apple, apricot, cherry, pear, and plum, also the fruit of rosaceous trees generally. It 

 first appears on half-grown fruit in the form of small yellowish- white, round, convex 

 tufts, composed of densely -packed erect filaments. These patches are generally grouped 

 in the apple in concentric form, as represented in Fig. 18. 



