400 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [MAY 



the work ; but this is a mistake, as the loss in number will be more 

 than repaid by the size, flavor, and excellence of the remaining fruit; 

 and, besides, the trees will be preserved in health and vigor for the 

 production of future crops. 



This thinning should not be confined only to wall and espalier 

 trees, but ought to be extended generally, and for the same reasons, 

 to all your standard peach, nectarine, and apricots, but more particu- 

 larly to such as are young. 



When trees are suffered to bear a superabundant crop, the extra- 

 ordinary efforts made to support their too numerous offspring often 

 so exhaust them as to bring on diseases, of which several do not re- 

 cover, at least for two or three years. 



PROTECTING CHERRIES FROM BIRDS. 



As soon as your cherries begin to ripen, hang up nets before the 

 wall-trees, and cast some over the espaliers, supporting them with 

 sticks or branches at a sufficient distance to prevent the birds from 

 reaching the fruit. Likewise, the casting of large nets over standard 

 cherry-trees will prevent the depredations of birds. 



CLEANING THE FRUIT-TREE BORDERS. 



The borders where wall and espalier-trees grow should be kept 

 remarkably clear from weeds, for these not only appear disagreeable 

 and exhaust the nourishment, but afford harbor for snails, slugs, and 

 other crawling insects, to the detriment of the fruit. 



Therefore, when weeds appear in these parts, and where there is 

 room to admit of hoeing between any crops that are growing on the 

 borders, let a sharp hoe be applied to them on a dry day, by which 

 you may stop their progress ; and, as soon as hoed, rake off all the 

 weeds and rubbish, leaving a clean smooth surface. 



INSECTS. 



At this season insects will probably appear on some of your fruit- 

 trees j when that is the case, there should be immediate means used 

 for their destruction before they increase and become numerous. See 

 page 347. 



Watering with common water proves very beneficial to trees infested 

 with insects, especially if thrown against them with some force, by 

 means of a small water engine. This will not only displace cater- 

 pillars and many other insects, but greatly refresh the trees, espe- 

 cially in dry weather, and if often repeated where insects appear, it 

 will considerably diminish their number, and prevent their spreading. 



The most eligible engines are such as have the pump and discharg- 

 ing pipe fixed in the vessel for containing the water, of which some 

 are of a moderate size for carrying about by the hand, but larger ones 

 are fitted upon a low, light, three wheeled carriage, for the more con- 

 venient removal from place to place. 



