APRICOTS TEMPERATURE AND VENTILATION. 85 



leaves begin fulling, and everything then put in order. Eains will have moistened the 

 soil through to the drainage ; if not, afford water to effect it. In case the blossom - 

 buds swell before the time arrives for starting, the lights must be replaced, ventilating 

 to the fullest extent, closing during frost, and affording heat only to prevent the tem- 

 perature falling below 35. 



For advancing growth follow generally the instructions given on page 77. In 

 forcing apricots the first time the trees must not be brought too rapidly into flower, but 

 the buds should be allowed time to swell and develop bold flowers steadily, or, in other 

 words, the forcing ought to bo slow, particularly in the early stages. This is absolutely 

 essential, and reliance should be mainly placed on the heat of the sun, affording no more 

 artificial aid than is sufficient for the steady progress of the trees. No acceleration of 

 the ripening must be attempted until the fruit is stoned, and then the artificial tem- 

 peratures stated are high enough, but with the crops advancing the apricot will 

 endure any amount of sun heat, with the important proviso, full ventilation. 



To summarise, in forcing trees started at the new year, the temperature during the 

 first fortnight should be kept at 35 to 40 at night, and 40 to 45 by day, ven- 

 tilating fully at 50. In the second fortnight a temperature of 40 to 45 at night 

 and 50 by day should be maintained. When in flower the night temperature should 

 be 45 to 50, and 50 to 55 by day, ventilating freely at 50, and on cold nights the 

 temperature should be 5 less, also 5 less by artificial means on cold dull days. 

 By early March the fruit will be the size of horse-beans or hazel-nuts, and advanc- 

 ing rapidly in swelling. The night temperature may then be 50 to 55, and the day 60 

 to 65. In favourable seasons the stoning of the early varieties will be completed early 

 in April, when the temperature at night may be raised to 60, falling 5 by early 

 morning ; 60 to 65 on dull days ; but with sun, 70 to 75 may be allowed, with full 

 ventilation. 



Attention must be given to watering and damping. An occasional syringing 

 up to the time of the fruit changing colour is beneficial, but when ripening commences 

 syringing the trees must be discontinued, damping the floors, walls and border in dry 

 weather instead. 



When the fruit is gathered the trees must not be subjected to a low temperature 

 suddenly, but the heat should be lowered gradually, then full air admitted constantly* 

 When the wood is ripe and the blossom-buds prominent, over-maturity should be 

 prevented by taking the sashes off the roof. 



