94 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



maintain a genial atmosphere. If the weather be sunny, the ventilators should be open 

 all day and closed at night. 



During the prevalence of cold, damp \veather a little fire-heat is essential to a good 

 "set." A temperature of 40 to 45 at night, and 50 by day, with a circulation of 

 air, liberates the pollen for the fertilisation of the blossoms. On fine mornings the top 

 ventilation should be increased between 40 and 45, and at 50 the front or side venti- 

 lators may be opened, taking care not to lower the temperature. Close the house in the 

 afternoon at 50, first at the front or sides, afterwards the top lights. If the temperature 

 advance 5 after closing it will not do any harm, but excessive sun-heat whilst the trees 

 are in blossom is injurious. Sun-heat with air is a different thing, 60 to 05 not then 

 doing harm. When the atmosphere is confined the sun increases its humidity, and 

 the safety of the blossom depends greatly on the dryness of the atmosphere. 



When the flowers are fully expanded, and the pollen is ripe, they may be fertilised. 

 It is best done in the early part of a fine day, a short time after the house has been 

 ventilated. Shaking the trees sharply every morning and early afternoon aids the 

 pollen to disperse. A plume of pampas-grass drawn lightly over pollen-bearing 

 blossoms soon becomes coated, and such pollen-laden plume may be used over flowers 

 that are deficient in pollen, also varieties that are liable to have split stones. A rabbit's 

 tail, mounted on a small stick, is also useful for brushing over the blossoms to distri- 

 bute the pollen. The most certain process is to lightly run a camel's-hair brush over 

 the anthers, and, when this is laden with pollen, apply it carefully to the stigma of each 

 flower. The operation, by whatever means performed, must be attended to daily, from 

 the first ripening of the pollen until all the blossoms are fertilised. 



3. First Swelling of the Fruit. This commences directly the fruit is set. To 

 assist it in casting off the remains of the flowers, the trees may be syringed on fine 

 mornings, also early in the afternoon, when the weather is bright, but anything 

 approaching to a close, humid atmosphere must be strictly avoided. The house should 

 be opened at 50, and closed at that temperature ; but if it is desired to advance the 

 swelling and ripening of the fruit, earlier closing is permissible. In such case, admit 

 air at 50, and steadily increase the ventilation with the increasing heat, not allowing it 

 to exceed 60 to 65 without the maximum amount of air, and gradually reduce the ven- 

 tilation in the afternoon, closing at 55. Ventilate cautiously during the prevalence of 

 cold, sharp winds, admitting fresh air on the opposite side of the house to that of the 

 wind, or modify the openings to secure free ventilation without cutting currents of air. 



