"first swell." 61 



"When the young trees are in bloom they require much 

 care — they should be well watered,* or the fruit will not set, 

 and a gentle shaking will tend to facilitate this important op- 

 eration. A rather high and constant temperature is also now 

 very necessary. When, about the end of April, the fruit be- 

 gins to "make its first swell," (as gardeners say), begin to 

 syringe but gently, and under the leaves only, and do not 

 neglect to water the trees, especially in warm weather. Yen- 

 tilation is now of great importance, and, in May, all these 

 cares are doubly needed. Worsted netting will diminish 

 drauglits, and keep out sooty particles, so that orchard-houses, 

 by this simple precaution, succeed admirably in large towns. 

 The summer pinching-in of tlie young slioots on the spurs 

 will now have fairly commenced, and the amateur be in full 

 career, as this is an important period. 



Syringing early, say before 8 o'clock, — and late, after 6 

 o'clock in the evening, when there is little sun to hurt, — 

 must now be carefully attended to, under penalty of insects' 

 tyranny. Trees three years old require two or three quarts 

 of water at a time, and I find it far better (as indeed it is in 

 the case with flowers), to soak them occasionallij than to 

 sprinkle the surface daily. Trees seven or eight years old 

 require one gallon of water at a time, — thus a good garden 

 engine is very useful and saves time. Trees in the borders 

 of course require less water, but they should be soaked when 

 it is done. 



By the time June comes, the fruit will be getting large, 

 and syringing be required vigorously. There is now no dan- 

 ger of shaking down the young fruits. Some plums can be 

 put out of doors, and some apricots also, but not unless so 

 needed from want of room. Every care must be given to 

 ventilate the house bij night and by day, or the worst conse- 

 quences will follow. The potted trees should be lifted up 

 once this month, and once in July, to check the luxuriance 

 of the roots getting into the borders. Plenty of watering and 

 syringing in July, and fresh compost placed on the surface of 



* No syringing is here meant. 



