7 8 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



feathers, a plume of pampas grass, or a rabbit's tail mounted on a small stick. When the 

 fruit is set a light syringing should be given, taking care that the moisture is dissipated 

 before nightfall. A sharp look-out must be kept for caterpillars and other insect pests. 



Until the fruit attains the size of marbles the temperature should not exceed 50 

 without full ventilation, having it free at 40 and 45. Eeduce the ventilation at 50. 

 There must not, however, be any closing of the house, such as is practised with peaches 

 and vines. The apricot is impatient of sudden fluctuations of temperature. With 

 care, however, it is not difficult to manage ; air is its chief requisite, and of this it 

 requires more than is good for many fruits. To allow the temperature to rise to 60 or 

 65 before increasing the ventilation, and then admit a volume of air, brings the fruit 

 off in showers, and a close atmosphere has the same effect. The apricot loves a hot day 

 and cool night ; its foliage detests the perpetual washing accorded to the peach and the 

 stewing granted to the vine, but an occasional cleansing of the foliage by syringing 

 with clear rain water greatly benefits the trees, if they become dry before nightfall. 

 From the fruit attaining the size of marbles to stoning observe 50 as the point at which 

 to increase and reduce the ventilation, affording enough at night and in dull periods 

 to insure a circulation of air, but never allow the temperature to exceed 55 without 

 full ventilation. 



After the fruit has stoned, which is usually in six weeks from its attaining the size 

 of marbles, the temperature may be kept at 55 at night with ventilation, and 65 by 

 day, not allowing that heat to be exceeded without the maximum supply of air. The 

 fruit will ripen three weeks ahead of that grown against walls. When changing, a thin 

 shade over the roof lights will prevent its ripening unevenly. It should be allowed to 

 remain until quite ripe, even until it shrinks on the side next the sun ; then it is simply 

 an unequalled sweetmeat. 



Water will be required during growth at fortnightly intervals, more distantly in the 

 early stages, and more frequently during the heat of summer. Liquid manure and 

 surface dressings should be given, as advised for trees against walls ; mulching, also, 

 must be attended to, and the border, with other available surfaces, should be sprinkled 

 in the morning and afternoon after the foliage becomes full-sized, up to which stage an 

 occasional damping only is required. Avoid syringing unless red spider appear, but 

 then dislodge it promptly, and supply water or liquid manure more adequately to the 

 roots. When ripening, the fruit cannot be kept too dry, but an occasional damping of 

 the house greatly benefits the foliage, and although less water is desirable at the roots 



