96 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE, 



the house at 70 to 75, and close at the latter temperature, with plenty of atmospheric 

 moisture. 



6. Fruit Ripening. Directly ripening commences keep the top and side ventilators 

 open to ensure a free circulation of air constantly, and provide and maintain full ventila- 

 tion at and above 75. "When the first fruits are ripe the remainder on the tree will 

 generally ripen fast enough with the ventilators constantly open. In the case of late 

 fruit it may be necessary to close the house at night, after reducing the ventilation early 

 in the afternoon. 



7. Ripening the Wood. After the fruit is gathered the trees should be thoroughly 

 washed with the syringe or garden engine to cleanse the foliage ; if insects have 

 obtained a footing they must be promptly extirpated, and an occasional forcible washing 

 will be all that is afterwards required. The ventilators should remain open day and 

 night, and water must be supplied as required to keep the soil moist. Weakly trees, 

 and those that do not plump the buds in consequence of overcropping, may be assisted 

 with liquid manure. If the wood does not ripen well, keep the house rather close by 

 day, yet with sufficient top and side ventilation to allow the air to circulate freely, and 

 open all the ventilators more fully at night. This will generally produce the desired 

 effect in the course of a fortnight or three weeks. In cold localities it may be necessary 

 to employ fire heat to ripen the crops and wood of late varieties. This should be 

 afforded for the most part by day, with moderate ventilation, turning the heat off and 

 allowing a rather free circulation of air at night. Continue this procedure until the 

 wood is thoroughly matured ; then ventilate freely day and night until the leaves fall. 

 The roof lights should then be removed, or the house kept as cool as possible. 



The foregoing general remarks on the cultivation of the peach and nectarine in cool 

 houses complete the yearly cycle. Under ordinary circumstances the fruits in fully 

 ventilated cool houses ripen only a few days in advance of those produced by trees 

 against south walls, but by husbanding the sun-heat in the manner named, a gain of 

 three to six weeks may be effected; therefore, utilising the sun-heat in light, well- 

 ventilated, and properly constructed cool houses, are important factors, and especially 

 in cold localities. 



FORCING. 



Structures. An efficiently heated lean-to house, with a steep pitch, moveable roof 

 lights and ventilators for the admission of front and top air, is one of the oldest 



