ig6 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Syringe the trees twice a day in fine weather ; if dull, omit the afternoon syringing, 

 damping the paths towards evening instead. Keep the glass clean. 



Start the succession house ; if fermenting materials can be introduced in a ridge, it 

 will save fire heat. Thin out the wood in late houses, complete the dressing of the 

 trees, and keep them cool, merely excluding frost. 



Fourth Week in January. Continue the temperatures before advised if the weather 

 be cold, taking advantage of gleams of sun to effect a change of atmosphere and close 

 shortly after midday. This, and keeping the fermenting materials duly replenished 

 and turned, affords warmth and moisture, counteracting the pernicious influences of sharp 

 firing in severe weather. Trees in pots should have liquid manure at the temperature 

 of the house. To let them become dry causes the fruit to drop. Planted-out trees are 

 less exacting, yet with a limited rooting area, liberal watering and free mulching are 

 needed. This is a proper time to plant trees in houses. 



Third Week in February. Place turves around the rims of the pots of early started 

 trees, or bands of lead or zinc inside the rims, top-dress, and give water sufficient to 

 penetrate the balls. Syringe twice a day, wetting every part of the trees, otherwise 

 red spider will appear. Omit the afternoon syringing on dull days, but damp the bed, 

 walls and floors. Maintain a night temperature of 60 to 65, and 70 by day artificially, 

 80 to 85 from sun heat after closing, giving a little air in the earlier part of the day, and 

 more as the sun heat increases. Stop all side shoots, thin out useless spray, but let termi- 

 nals extend, as cropping will keep them short jointed. Add more fresh fermenting 

 material, but do not turn the bed if the roots have entered it. In succession houses 

 make the best of solar heat, only increasing the night temperature slightly ; otherwise 

 proceed as for potted trees. Disbud, but let the shoots approach the glass before tying 

 down. Start late houses, closing early with sun heat. 



Second Week in March. This is the most critical time with early forced trees in pots, 

 the fruit remaining apparently stationary, and steadiness all round is important. Tem- 

 perature 60 to 65 at night, 5 less in severe weather, 70 by day, gaining 10 to 15 

 from sun heat at closing, with abundance of moisture. Syringe as before, and supply 

 weak tepid liquid manure as needed. In succession houses disbud and thin, stopping 

 shoots to four or five leaves for spurs to produce second-crop fruit. Syringe the trees 

 twice a day, keeping the mulching damped with liquid manure. 



First Week in April. Early varieties in pots now show signs of ripening, freer venti- 

 lation is necessary without giving a check, and every ray of light should be centred on 



