1 68 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



the least satisfactory. While a circulation of dry 

 warm air is desirable, it should be admitted in small 

 quantities at many points, so as to prevent the blos- 

 soms from being subjected to blasts of it. In the case 

 of early forcing, front ventilation should not be applied, 

 unless the air can first be warmed by some such means 

 as that recommended in the case of vines, at least un- 

 til the fruit have approached the colouring and ripen- 

 ing stage. Like firing, ventilation must be cautiously 

 regulated, according to the state of the weather ; and 

 when the fruit are ripe, a free circulation of warm dry 

 air is necessary to flavour and colour them. 



MOISTURE IN THE AIE AND SYRINGING. 



Although the peach is a moisture-loving plant, I do 

 not approve of heavy and too frequent syringing at 

 midwinter before the fruit are set. As has already 

 been said, it has a tendency to bring the foliage too 

 much in advance of the blossoms. Notwithstanding 

 all that has been said in favour of syringing heavily 

 when forcing is commenced, to cause the bloom-buds 

 to swell freely, I have never observed that, with the 

 house kept moderately moist without syringing, the 

 blossoms burst at all less vigorous when syringing has 

 never been practised till the fruit are set. The floor 

 and paths should be sprinkled at shutting-time, and 

 on bright mornings after cold nights when extra fire- 

 heat has been applied. As soon as the fruit are set, 

 the syringe should be vigorously used every dry morn- 

 ing, and especially in the afternoon, when the house is 

 shut up with sun-heat. 



Syringing should be thus continued until the fruit 

 shows signs of ripening. The peach is subject to red- 



