28 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



damped with the syringe. Without a moist atmo- 

 sphere at this season the growth will be deficient in 

 broadness, texture, and that dark-green hue which 

 indicates that all is going on well. I disapprove of 

 heavily syringing young growing pines, and much 

 prefer the moisture to be applied by evaporation. On 

 the afternoons of very bright days an occasional syr- 

 inging overhead through a fine rose is beneficial, and 

 keeps the plants clean ; but regular heavy syring- 

 ings have a tendency to keep the soil in a puddled 

 state, as the leaves conduct all the water that falls 

 on them into the pot, and this has a tendency to pro- 

 duce a soft unfruitful growth. 



With increased air, light, and heat, and the very 

 moderate syringings recommended, the state of the 

 soil as to moisture must be carefully watched. An 

 equal and healthy amount of moisture must be main- 

 tained. No amount of attention should be considered 

 too much to prevent the soil from becoming dusty- 

 dry on the one hand, or over- wet on the other, other- 

 wise a check may be given and an amount of mis- 

 chief produced that no after-treatment can retrieve. 

 It is a great mistake to suppose that a check is not 

 as likely to arise from plants being kept too dry as 

 from the opposite extreme. 



When bottom-heat depends on leaves and tan, it 

 not unfrequently occurs, although the heat may be 

 just right in March and April, that the hotter sun of 

 May causes an increase of heat just at a time when 

 the young roots are reaching the sides of the pot and 

 are most susceptible of injury. The safest way is to 

 have a thermometer in the bed, and as soon as the 

 heat exceeds 90, to shake the pots from side to side 

 and leave an opening all round them for the heat to 



