SEPTEMBER. 



693 



SEPTEMBER. 



grow, but no more than are absolutely 

 required for new beds, as the fruit is 

 always largest and best where the runners 

 are trimmed off. 



Work, Routine. The chief work to be 

 done in the fruit garden and orchard is 

 harvesting and preparation for planting, 

 either to replace decaying trees, or for new 

 plantations. In either case let it be under- 

 stood that, while something of the future 

 success depends on soil, subsoil, and situa- 

 tion, on which subjects we have already 

 remarked, perfect drainage is indispensable. 

 Soil and subsoil may both be corrected by 

 properly prepared stations, if the drainage 

 be sufficient ; without it success is im- 

 possible. 



September. Glasshouses for 

 Fruit, &c. 



Figs. These require plenty of water 

 when in full growth ; in fact, in this state 

 they may be treated almost like aquatic 

 plants. The second crop of fruit will now 

 be ripening, and those who wish for a third 

 crop in November and December should 

 have stopped the shoots in the middle of 

 August ; but where a very early crop is 

 required, the shoots must not be stopped 

 after this period. Great care must be 

 exercised in ripening the wood, and seeing 

 that the embryo fruit buds are formed in 

 the axils of the leaves. Water must be 

 gradually withheld, and a dryish atmo- 

 sphere maintained for this purpose. 



Peach House. The lights may now be 

 removed for six weeks from the early 

 peach house ; or, if this is not practicable, 

 as much air as possible should be given 

 night and day. 



Pinery, Heat in. Keep a genial atmo- 

 sphere of from 70 to 83 among fruiting 

 plants; water them with clear manure 

 water, and refrain from syringing plants 

 in flower and ripe fruit. Providences, and 

 the black varieties for winter fruiting, 



would be best in a house by themselves 

 from this time. Maintain a steady bottom 

 heat of 85 to fruiting plants and 75 to 

 succession plants. Where hot water is 

 used this is easily managed ; but dung, 

 tan, or leaves require greater caution. 

 However, pines grow better, it is thought, 

 when the bottom heat is derived from fer- 

 menting material than from hot water. 



Pinery r , Succession Plants in. All the 

 succession plants should have already 

 received their final shift for the winter ; 

 those planted out in beds, either fruiting 

 or succession plants, must be sparingly 

 watered from this time, as, if the soil 

 becomes too wet, it will dry slowly at this 

 season of the year. Attend to the making 

 of linings ; give as much air as is consistent 

 with the maintenance of a proper tempera- 

 ture ; gradually withdraw all shade from 

 this period, and endeavour to secure a firm 

 indurated growth before the approach of 

 winter. 



Thrip on Fruit Trees. Sometimes thrip 

 attacks peaches, vines, &c., when the fruit 

 is ripe. It is then very difficult to eradi- 

 cate, as either smoking or syringing with 

 any pungent fluid would mar the flavour 

 of the fruit for weeks, if not for ever. The 

 houses should be thoroughly examined be- 

 fore the fruit is ripe, and if a single thrip 

 is visible it must be at once destroyed. It 

 is a good practice, if there is the least 

 suspicion of their presence, to smoke two 

 or three times in succession to make sure 

 of their destruction. 



Trees, Care of." Fruit culture " seems 

 almost a misnomer now, as, with the 

 exception of very late crops, the great 

 business at this season is to gather and 

 enjoy the fruit, which has attained full 

 maturity. Nevertheless, the idea of culture 

 must never be lost sight of. This, either 

 in its past, present, or future tense, must 

 ever be present to the mind, if success is 

 to be procured continuous and all but 



