JAN.] THE FRUIT GARDEN." 55 



The season for beginning to make the fires for forcing the trees 

 in either of the above described fire-heat frames, is any time in Ja- 

 nuary, though about the middle, or towards the latter end of that 

 month, or beginning of February, is, for the general part, rather the 

 most successful time to begin the general forcing, to have a good 

 crop ; for if the trees are forced very early, there will be some dan- 

 ger of their miscarrying ; as, if they 'should come into blossom, 

 when severe weather prevails, that air cannot be freely admitted at 

 intervals, they seldom set any tolerable crop of fruit ; therefore, 

 by beginning to make the fires about the time above directed, the 

 trees will be in blossom about the middle of February, when we 

 may expect some fine sunny days for the admission of a moderate 

 portion of fresh air, which is essentially necessary to promote the 

 natural impregnation of the fruit, and improve its free growth ; for 

 if kept too close, they are apt to drop oft' in their infant state. 



The fires are to be lighted in the furnace every afternoon about 

 four or five o'clock, and if kept burning till ten or twelve, it will suf- 

 ficiently heat the flues to warm the internal air of the house till 

 next morning, when, if very cold, frosty, or cloudy damp weather, 

 a moderate fire may also be made occasionally ; and by no means 

 force the trees too much, for a moderate warmth will prove the 

 most successful ; and thus continue the fires occasionally till towards 

 the latter end of April, but less in proportion as the weather grows 

 warmer. 



Fresh air must be occasionally admitted in fine days, by sliding 

 some of the glasses a little open, and, as the trees advance to blos- 

 som and fruit, the days grow longer, and the power of the sun 

 greater, allow a greater proportion of air accordingly. Likewise 

 give frequent waterings to the borders. 



Thus your trees will be in full blossom in February, and some 

 will ripen fruit in April, particularly cherries, and strawberries ; 

 you may also expect early apricots, peaches, and nectarines in 

 May, and plums and early grapes in June. 



After the fruit of the different sorts are all gathered, the glasses 

 should be taken entirely away, that the trees may have the full air 

 during summer ; and in December they should be placed upon the 

 frame again, ready for forcing in January. 



With respect to pruning the trained trees, that is those that are 

 trained as wall-trees against the trellis, &c. they are to be pruned 

 and trained every summer and autumn, each sort according to its 

 kind, as other wall trees, and as directed under all their respective 

 articles ; and as to the standards, their requisite pruning is princi- 

 pally in autumn, to cut out any irregular growth, and thinning out 

 any crowding shoots, for the branches must be kept thin and regular, 

 clear of each other, six or eight inches distance ; and any stragglers 

 which extend in length considerably, should be reduced to order ; 

 and as the branches in general become so long, as to press against 

 the glasses, or spread too much, they should also be reduced a' little, 

 to preserve them within due compass, observing always, when 

 shortening the standards, it is necessary to cut to a bud situated on 

 the outside of the shoot or branch, making the cut on the inside. 



