130 FRUIT CULTURE. 



blown against the trees. This net must, however, be 

 drawn up every morning and let down again every even- 

 ing until the fruit has set, when it may be removed. If 

 the weather proves favourable at the time of flowering, a 

 crop may be obtained without any precaution of this 

 kind ; but our climate is so fickle that to ensure a crop it 

 is necessary, and it is usually labour well spent. 



Pests and Diseases. Red spider, mildew, and aphis are 

 the chief enemies that these trees have to contend with. 

 Red spider may be detected by the leaves turning a light- 

 brown, and unless speedily checked, will result in the 

 leaves falling. The cause is over-dryness; therefore the 

 prevention is to maintain a condition of moisture by fre- 

 quent syringing, as above directed. If, however, the trees 

 do become infested, they should be syringed with a solu- 

 tion of quassia and soft-soap two ounces of each to a 

 gallon of water; or with a weak solution of Gishurst 

 compound or tobacco water. 



The Aphis may be detected by the curling of the leaves ; 

 but it may be readily exterminated by syringing with 

 either of the ingredients above recommended for red 

 spider. 



Mildew is a troublesome disease which affects some 

 varieties much more than others ; for instance, Royal 

 George Peach and Hunt's Tawny Nectarines are very 

 subject to it, and indeed, all the varieties that have no 

 glands to the leaf. Continued wet and dull weather is the 

 chief cause. The subsoil should be kept porous and open, 

 to prevent the ground from becoming cold and water- 

 logged. Trees that show signs of it may be syringed 

 with weak tobacco water, or dusted with sulphur; and 

 there are also a number of other advertised remedies. 



Gumming is usually the result of over-feeding or over- 



