m Cold Houses, <^c. 209 



thoroughly, and form strong prominent buds. The winter 

 pruning should be done in November or December, and this 

 finishes the labor for this year. 



Presuming that all has gone on favorably thus far, a small 

 crop of fruit may be expected the coming season. But I cau- 

 tion the amateur not to try to produce too much fruit, as he 

 will injure his young trees by so doing, unless they are very 

 thrifty ; a few specimens only should be suffered to remain, 

 looking rather to the furnishing of the trellis, for a crop the 

 next year, when he may reasonably expect some fine fruit. 



As soon as the trees begin to show flowers, the temperature 

 will have to be kept very even through the day, allowing the 

 thermometer to range from 75° to 85°, and at night from 50° 

 to 60°, or even ten degrees lower, without injury, if the night 

 is cold, but it is always best, if there is danger of a sharp and 

 frosty night, to shut the house up early, as a preventive. All 

 syringing should be discontinued till the fruit sets, keeping a 

 rather dry atmosphere, or the blossoms will not set well. As 

 soon as the flowers begin to drop, commence syringing regu- 

 larly, until the fruit begins to ripen, and then discontinue it 

 till after the fruit is gathered. 



When the fruit is done stoning, and the weather begins to 

 be warm, the sashes back and front should be opened, as 

 much as possible, through the day, and as soon as the weather 

 averages a good temperate heat, the sashes should be left 

 open, both day and night, till the fruit is gathered ; unless this 

 is attended to, the fruit will . have but little flavor. Closing 

 up the house in case of heavy rains, or cold east winds, is of 

 course an exception ; but, as soon as the fruit is gathered, the 

 sashes should be removed from the house altogether, and not 

 put on again till frosts set in, when the trees will require 

 some protection from their severity. After the fruit appears 

 to be well stoned, considerable attention should be given to 

 thinning the crop : only a single fruit should be left, at distan- 

 ces averaging six or eight inches apart, all over the surface of 

 the tree : as soon as the fruit has taken its last swelling, such 

 leaves as shade it too much should be partly removed, so that 

 part of the fruit may be exposed to the free action of the sun, 

 which, L think, adds greatly to its flavor. 

 20* 



