1 4 o THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



trees as the roots extend, when the flowers fade, will do good, repeating as soon as the 

 cherries have stoned, washing it lightly in. Heavily laden trees may be given a dressing 

 of the mixture oftener say, when the fruit is set, the size of large peas, stationary in 

 stoning and showing ripening colour. The quantity named should not be exceeded, 

 and the mixture must be kept off the foliage. 



Mulching should be spread on the soil, about an inch thick, by the middle of May, 

 never later than early in June. The soil has then become warmed and moistened 

 by the early summer sun and rains, and the surface has not become sun-dried an/I 

 cracked. Add to the mulching as necessary, but a 1-inch mulch of partially decayed 

 material answers every useful purpose. Waiting until the trees are seen to be over- 

 burdened with fruit before applying top-dressings or mulchings is a too common 

 mistake. 



Washing the Foliage. To free the growth of dust and insects it is a good plan to 

 syringe the trees well with the garden engine late in the afternoon or evening of fine 

 days. If given prior to watering, it to some extent renders the watering more efficient, 

 especially at the foot of walls. Clear water only need be used, and the syringing must 

 cease directly the fruit begins to ripen. All other aids in cultivation must more or less 

 fail if the trees are not kept free from insects. 



Protecting the Fruit. In large cultures it is necessary to employ a man with a gun, 

 then many acres can be kept from jackdaws and starlings. Nets are absolutely 

 essential to preserve cherries on garden trees. Herring nets exclude blackbirds and 

 thrushes, but pilchard netting is required against the smaller birds. The netting should 

 be stretched tight and a foot off the cherries. The protection must not be delayed 

 beyond the change of colour for ripening. Hexagon netting or coarse muslin excludes 

 bluebottle flies and wasps, at the same time admitting air and screening from the sun. 

 This protection is necessary in open situations. In exceptionally frostless and rainless 

 autumns, Morello cherries hang in good condition till Christmas against north walls with 

 ordinary netting protection. Other varieties hang a considerable time, provided the 

 fruit is shielded from powerful sun and rain, whilst accorded a free circulation of air. 



Gathering. All palates are well catered for in cherries. Choice fruit for home 

 dessert should always be gathered with a portion of stalk, detaching them with scissors. 

 Those for packing should be gathered with the stalks intact, separating them carefullv 

 from the spur or branch, as they keep much better with their full stalks. If gathered 

 in that way when thoroughly ripe and suspended in small bunches in a cool fruit room, 



