,34 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



Plant lil'c finds its best expression througii tiie foliage. The surface of the 

 tub is apt to mislead, for it may often look dry on the surface while there is 

 plenty of moisture underneath. Therefore, so long as the foliage stands out, 

 bold and full of sap, we can rest assured that the tree is not suffering for want 

 of moisture at the roots. But do not under any circumstances allow the foliage 

 to wilt for lack of water. The grower who watches and studies the foliage 

 carefully can judge pretty clearly as to the requirements of his plants. 



The trees should be sprayed two or three times a day in bright weather, 

 from the time they are started until they commence to bloom. Then hold off 

 until the fruit is set. On very bright days the house may be damped down 

 about mid-day; around the Pears and Plums the border should be kept a bit 

 drier, for the pollen of these does not dry so quickly as that of the Peach and 

 Nectarine. After the fruit is set the spraying should be resumed, both morning 

 and evening in very bright weather, while in damp, muggy weather the trees 

 are better without it. Also keep the border damped down at least once a day, 

 for a moist atmosphere is beneficial to both trees and fruit when the latter is 

 in full growth. Spraying can be dispensed with as the fruit commences to 

 ripen. Keep the variety that is ripening a little drier at the roots; this will 

 enhance the flavor, provided that it is not carried too far, for, as I have said, 

 never allow the tree to get so dry that the foliage will flag. 



The mode of fertilizing the blossoms depends on the time when our trees 

 come into bloom. Bees are among the very best distributors of pollen. They 

 are welcome visitors to the orchardhouse in bloom; industriously going from 

 flower to flower, they pollenate each and every one perfectly. If the trees come 

 into flower before the bees leave their Winter quarters, then artificial means 

 must be resorted to, or hand-fertilization, which is a simple operation. The 

 pollen must be perfectly dry, and this may be easily ascertained before going 

 over the bloom. When dry, it can be readily seen flying in all directions. As 

 the pollen gets ripe, so that it will distribute easily, apply it either with a camel's 

 hair brush or with a rabbit's tail tied to a stick. I prefer the latter. Go over 

 the blooms once at mid-day from the time the first lot of flowers are ready until 

 they are all set. Just brush the blooms lightly. If the pollen is in good con- 

 dition, the brush will be loaded with it in a short time, and under these con- 

 ditions the set will be perfect. Where Nature has free sway, she provides the 

 different kinds of insects for this important work, but in producing fruit out of 

 their natural season, artificial pollenization must be resorted to. When one 

 gets familiar with the work, the trees may be gone over in a short time. 



Feeding is another point where the grower may show his skill. The benefit 

 of systematic feeding is very pronoimced in pot fruit. The amount of feeding 

 that these trees will profitably take is surprising, when it is increased gradu- 

 ally. The novice in fruit culture must study this important question long and 

 attentively before he can hope to e.xcel with pot fruit. I could write a whole 

 book on the subject of feeding alone. It is easy enough to lay down the main 

 principles and the benefits to be derived from the diff"erent foods, but much 

 depends on circumstances and individual conditions. A healthy, vigorous 

 tree can absorb more food to good advantage than a weakly growing one. There- 



