1 4 * THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



autumn. Pot firmly, using good fibrous loam, water at once, and plunge the pots in 

 ashes in an open situation. Trees potted in autumn or early spring will be established 

 by the following autumn, furnished with blossom-buds, and fit for placing under glass, 

 provided they have had proper attention in watering, pinching, and keeping clean during 

 the summer. The trees should be kept outdoors until the buds begin swelling, then 

 placed under glass. 



Trees in pots must never lack water at the roots, and after the fruit is set it is well 

 to give liquid manure at every alternate watering. Surface dressings of rich compost, 

 such as sweet, lumpy manure and fresh loam, the size of an egg, encourage surface 

 roots, especially if sprinkled with superphosphate, soot, or other fertilisers. When the 

 crops are gathered, place the trees outdoors, attending to them in watering, and keep- 

 ing them clean. If it is desired to increase the size of the trees, shift those which 

 most need it into larger pots, and top-dress the rest with fresh soil, before the leaves 

 fall. 



Planted-out Trees. Keplace the roof-lights when the buds commence swelling, and 

 treat the trees similarly to those outdoors as regards training, pinching, and pruning. 

 They require due supplies of water and nutriment. In the early stages of growth little 

 will be needed, and when in free growth once a week will be often enough to supply 

 water, affording it, whenever required, thoroughly, yet not excessively. Light mulchings 

 encourage surface roots, and save watering. 



Syringing must be practised over the trees in the morning and early afternoon on 

 fine days, from the fruit setting till it commences to colour for ripening, when water 

 must be withheld from the cherries. Avoid syringing on dull days, damping the house 

 instead, and sprinkle the floors occasionally on bright days, whilst the fruit is ripening, 

 ripe, and hanging, to insure the health of the foliage. After the fruit is gathered, again 

 have recourse to syringing in the morning and afternoon. 



A little ventilation is essential in the early stages of growth whenever the tem- 

 perature exceeds 40, to insure a circulation of air. This is imperative in structures 

 that are so closely made as to be almost air-proof. Some houses, however, receive air 

 through the laps of the glass, badly-fitting ventilators, and spaces between the boards, 

 and do not require more when the temperature is low. In the former case, cherry 

 trees often cast their blossoms without setting, whilst in the other they are loaded with 

 fruit ; therefore the ventilation must be ample, especially during flowering, opening the 

 ventilators fully during mild weather. When the fruit commences swelling, open the 



