APRICOTS POTTIXG TREES. 79 



when the fruit is ripening, it must not be withheld to the extent of causing the foliage 

 to ripen prematurely, but be given as necessary to maintain it in health. 



After the fruit is gathered thoroughly cleanse the trees by a few forcible sy ringings, 

 admit air to the fullest extent, supply water as needed, remove the roof lights when 

 the leaves commence falling, then put all into order for a fresh start when the time comes 

 round. The treatment of trees under glass as regards training does not differ from that 

 of trees grown against walls. 



FORMS OF TREES. 



Apricots are the least cultivated of fruit trees in the shape of pyramids, bushes, 

 and standards. This arises from their moderate and uncertain cropping when grown 

 with other fruit trees. The apricot is an autocrat, it admits no rival, and few have 

 the means to devote a house specially to its culture. Yet a separate house is required ; 

 then apricots can be grown successfully, both in pots and planted out. Small houses, 

 however, are very little better aids to culture than walls, and no certainty can be 

 expected from either without means of protection. Glass structures have, if anything, 

 the advantage, by insuring dryness for the blossom, and husbanding the sun heat, 

 whereby better-ripened fruit, firmer wood, and plumper buds are secured. 



Pyramids. A maiden apricot tree should be placed in an 11 -inch pot directly the 

 leaves have fallen. The pot should have four side and one bottom apertures, each 1J 

 inch in diameter. Place one large crock over the bottom, then other large pieces, so as 

 to bring the drainage up level with the top of the side holes, and over these place a layer 

 of steamed half-inch bones. Three parts of good turfy loam laid up sufficiently long to 

 destroy the herbage, torn into pieces the size of a walnut to an egg, one part of sweet- 

 ened horse-droppings, and one part of old mortar rubbish, mixed, form a suitable compost. 

 Shorten the strong roots, so that the tree can be placed in the pot, with the uppermost 

 roots 1J inch below the rim, and the side roots 1 inch from the side all round. Place 

 some rough soil at the bottom of the pot, ram it firm with a stick, have the tree per- 

 fectly upright, and press the soil well about its roots, which should be spread out evenly, 

 fill up all the interstices, and finish with the upper roots just covered with soil, one 

 inch below the rim. Water at once, moistening the soil through to the drainage. Arrange 

 the trees in front of a south wall or in a cool house, in either case protecting the roots 

 from frost with dry material placed around and over the pots. Head each tree down to 

 12 inches of the soil within a fortnight of potting, cut off the laterals close to the stem, 



