ORCHARD-HOUSES. 23 



then, take a lesson from Nature. Pull off a bloom 

 and open it lengthwise, and it will be found sticky 

 with honey in the inside ; insert the brush, and 

 it will then, when afterwards used, be soon 

 covered with pollen, and you will thus cross 

 variety with variety. If the petals soon begin to 

 drop and leave the base of the flowers attached to 

 the tree, you have been successful, and may hope 

 for a crop. I have been thus explicit, because 

 aware that this is a matter of importance, and 

 often neglected. 



A slight blow on the stem of a tree will pro- 

 duce the same effect, but with less certainty. In 

 doing this use the hand only, for fear of injury to 

 the bark, which might induce gumming. 



How frequently, after a wet blooming season, 

 have people been surprised that their Apple and 

 Pear trees have such a poor crop of fruit ! The 

 trees were so full of bloom, and there was no 

 frost ; how could it be ? It rained every day, 

 and the farina could never leave the stamens. 

 Or perhaps the Peach trees in the forcing-house 

 are without fruit. No wonder ; whilst they were 

 in bloom the place was hot and damp, and no 

 insects stirring. Let us suppose the fruit safe, 



