PRUNING AND GENERAL CULTIVATION. 129 



water should be given to the roots immediately after the 

 fruit is gathered, to assist in developing the flower buds 

 for the following season. 



Whilst the fruit is swelling, give two or three good 

 soakings with water. Mere moistening of the surface is 

 of no use, even if frequently done, but sufficient should be 

 given at each application to thoroughly saturate the roots. 

 If the borders are at all impoverished, or the trees show 

 signs of weakness or want of vigour, liquid manure may 

 be applied ; otherwise clear water may be used. 



Winter and Spring Protection. After the fall of the 

 leaf, it is a good plan to untie the whole of the trees, 

 and after cutting away all coarse and surplus wood, 

 to dress the whole with a mixture of Gishurst com- 

 pound, soot and clay, applied with a brush. The 

 branches may then be carefully drawn together in haiid- 

 fuls and tied to stout stakes, driven firmly into the 

 ground about a foot from the wall. The walls may then 

 be thoroughly cleaned and dressed with some insecticide. 

 This will very largely do away with insect pests during 

 the period of growth. But the principal object in thus 

 bringing the trees from the wall is to retard growth as 

 much as possible in spring. Therefore do not nail or tie 

 them back to the wall until the sap begins to rise. This 

 will so retard the blossoming that it will be much safer 

 when it does expand. Immediately before expansion, and 

 not earlier, glass copings, if provided, should be fixed in 

 their places ; and whether there are glass copings or not, 

 canvas, or thick net, or some protective material, should 

 be spread over the trees. This should be fixed to the top 

 of the wall or the front of the glass coping, and hang to 

 the ground, stakes being placed a few feet apart, leaning 

 against the wall at the top, to keep the net from being 



